Gold Coast second casino: John Witheriff to relay residents’ concerns to Stage Government

Gold Coasters concerned about plans for a second casino have been given an olive branch by the man tasked with making their voices heard.

CASINO deal peacemaker John Witheriff is promising to meet with Gold Coast opponents in the next few weeks, and relay their concerns to the State Government.

Former councillor Eddy Sarroff wrote to Mr Witheriff on behalf of angry Southport residents after the government appointed him chair the Gold Coast Tourism Advisory Panel to provide feedback on a global tourism hub (GTH).

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John Witheriff will chair a committee which is to consult with residents about a second casino on the Gold Coast. Photo: Kit Wise.

“It’s very nice to hear from you,” Mr Witheriff wrote back to Mr Sarroff.

“It’s great to see that you have lost none of your passion. I will be very keen to catch up with you.

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“At this stage I am working with senior officers in the department to properly understand what Cabinet expects of this committee.

“I have had an opportunity to meet with the minister (Kate Jones) and I understand her concern to deliver an outcome that is in the best interest of the Gold Coast.”

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Protesters gather in Carey Park. Eddy Sarroff speaks. Picture: Tertius Pickard.

Mr Witheriff expected to get a full brief on the GTH within the next few weeks.

“At that point in time I hope to be in a position to seek community input to enable us to better understand the issues and impacts,” he said.

“I look forward to the opportunity of catching up with you. If for some reason you haven’t heard from me in the next few weeks please feel free to contact me again.”

The register of interests closes next month and up to 20 bids are expected to be considered in June and July before the government goes to expressions of interest.

By October, the government will either go forward with a short-list or abandon the project.

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Eddy Sarroff (far right) talking to Southport residents about their protest against a second Gold Coast casino.

In his letter to Mr Witheriff, Mr Sarroff said Southport residents were requesting that Carey Park be excluded from the sites currently under investigation.

The Bulletin understands the site opposite the Broadwater Parkland rates among the top three in a list of 11 secret locations.

Casino sources suggest Carey Park is the only location suitable due to its size and being next to light rail and the Broadwater where a ferry service can be created.

But Mr Sarroff, who is happy with Mr Witheriff’s quick response, had warned that “locals who will not accept this public land being desecrated by commercial interests”.

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Former Gold Coast councillor Eddy Sarroff rallying against a proposed second casino

Southport was a Priority Development Area and the current push for unlimited high-rise development meant valuable open space should be protected, he said.

Carey Park provided more than 300 car parks for workers and tourists who visited the Broadwater Parkland, Mr Sarroff added.

The council had previously advised the Premier, in a letter, that it would not support an integrated resort and casino on the site after a protest rally, he said.

“In view of the growing concerns on part of the residents over plans to locate the GTH in Carey Park, it would be prudent that different sites be considered and the committee should focus on the other 10 sites,” Mr Sarroff said.