Casino protest rally planned as residents ramp up campaign to protect Southport site

Gold Coast residents are ramping up their campaign against a second casino, asking Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to protect public land at Southport from development — or face a protest.

GOLD Coast residents are ramping up their campaign against a second casino, asking Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to protect public land at Southport from development or face a protest.

Former city councillor Eddy Sarroff yesterday wrote to the Premier asking her to remove Carey Park as one of the 11 sites identified for the global tourism hub (GTH).

Developer Norm Rix has also joined the protest, arguing a casino should be built on its own economic merit on private land. The Premier is preparing a response.

Protest organiser Eddy Sarroff outside city hall. Picture Mike Batterham.

But leading architect Desmond Brooks says the GTH will create 4000 jobs and the city’s first world-class tourist attraction.

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Mr Sarroff said the council withdrew its support for a planned integrated resort development on State-owned land at Carey Park after a public backlash in October 2017.

In a backflip, a majority of councillors have since supported the Government reviving the tourism resort proposal and supported public land being considered.

“We feel council has no other choice but to reject the rezoning of the land which we believe is heritage listed,” Mr Sarroff wrote.

Former councillor Eddy Sarroff and residents of Southport who are against the casino being developed at Carey Park. Photo: Steve Holland.

“With all the above in mind we are calling on your government to withdraw its support to the Carey Park site.

“A public rally is planned for Thursday and we hope for a positive response and, of course, cancellation of the planned rally.”

Mr Rix is concerned the council will offer “Carey Park free of charge for a second casino”.

“I am neither for nor against a second casino, but this is a matter of principle. The ongoing suggestion that public space could be given up for a second Gold Coast casino should be a worry for every Gold Coaster,” he said.

Renowned international architect Desmond Brooks is a strong supporter of the GTH. Picture Mike Batterham.

“There are already too few parks on the Gold Coast. Any developer worth their salt knows that a project needs to stand on its own merit if it is to be successful.”

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Mr Brooks, who was behind the design of the Palazzo Versace, is stunned by the negative response as the Government plans to announce expressions of interest for a GTH.

“The Gold Coast should embrace the concept of a global tourism hub. It’s not about a second casino,” he said.

“It’s not about creating 1000 more poker machines. To say that is false and misleading. The licences will come from existing machines.”

Mr Brooks called on Southport councillor Dawn Crichlow, Southport MP Rob Molhoek and Surfers Paradise MP John-Paul Langbroek to reconsider their opposition.

“They should be embracing this and explaining how it will create 4000 more jobs and a massive flow-on for the tourism industry. This will be the Gold Coast’s first world-class and world-rated tourism attraction.”