Investor claims government official told him Broadwater Parklands in play for second casino

An investor who met with Global Tourism Hub officials has sensationally claimed he was told the Broadwater Parklands could become part of the second casino site through a proposed infrastructure upgrade.

AN investor who met Global Tourism Hub officials fears Southport public land will be used and spill to Broadwater Parklands but Gold Coast’s Mayor warns site speculation is unhelpful.

The investor source who recently discussed a GTH on the Gold Coast with State Government officials says it was clear the controversial option of Carey Park public land was on the radar.

When he voiced concern Carey Park was too narrow, the source said the official responded “don’t worry about that - we can put the road underneath the site”.

“They acknowledge they need to provide a site that works and is attractive for a development,” the source said, adding it brought Broadwater Parklands into play.

The fears about Carey Park and spillage to Parklands, a popular public space for families using its playgrounds overlooking the Broadwater, come ahead of Saturday’s protest rally at Carey Park.

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A children’s entertainer adds to the atmosphere as children play in the Broadwater Parklands. Picture: David Clark.

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Separately, a Credit Suisse stockmarket analyst Larry Gandler, in a public June 5 briefing note indicated Carey Park seemed to be firming as an option.

His briefing note, entitled “Star Entertainment Group – still goo value even if we pave paradise, said: “In 2009, the QLD government paved Carey Park to put in a parking lot, fulfilling Joni Mitchell’s prophecy. It now appears upon that parking lot, poker machines may one day be played.”

Mr Gandler’s briefing note was speculating on the outlook for Star Entertainment Group which operates the Gold Coast’s incumbent gaming resort at Broadbeach.

His analysis said the formal GTH process - which might see a detailed proposal selected by late next year - would remain “an overhang” on Star’s share price.

“Construction time could mean a 2025 opening. A new casino resort may not be economically viable on the Gold Coast due to the small domestic market.”

Investment for a GTH would need to be nearly $1.5 billion and if built Star would lose $20 million in earnings annually, Mr Gandler estimated.

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State MP Rob Molhoek is prepared to chain himself to a tree if necessary to save Carey Park from development. Picture Glenn Hampson

Meanwhile, Mayor Tom Tate wants the site speculation to stop and said he was confident the State Government’s final recommendations on a GTH would reflect community views.

“This project is about creating 10,000 jobs for Gold Coasters and it’s about new tourism product to keep visitors coming to our city,” Cr Tate said.

“It’s premature to be talking about the merits of this site or that site – in fact it’s counter-productive.

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Gold Coast City Mayor Tom Tate. Picture: Jerad Williams

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“The State Government has a good process in place and a board of local community leaders and serious business people to advise the Government on the project. I think everyone has to stop shadow boxing until the recommendations of the State’s advisory board are made public,” Cr Tate said.

When Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones launched the GTH process on the Gold Coast, calling for registrations of interest earlier this year, she set up an advisory panel of city leaders chaired by respected businessman John Witheriff.

Department of Innovation, Tourism Industry Development and the Commonwealth Games director general Damien Walker said last night: “We’ve already been clear - the Palaszczuk Government has no preferred site for a Global Tourism Hub on the Gold Coast.

“And as stated last week, we’re pursuing this opportunity with no net increase to Electronic Gaming Machines on the Gold Coast.”

Ms Jones was in the United States and unavailable to comment.