New casino: “Over my dead body,” Dawn Crichlow tells protest rally

Residents have staged a protest rally to stop the planned second casino on the Gold Coast, with councillor Dawn Crichlow threatening it would happen “over her dead body.”

VETERAN councillor Dawn Crichlow in an emotional speech has told a protest rally that Southport’s Carey Park will become a casino “over my dead body”.

Organiser Eddy Sarroff, the former councillor and Southport resident, estimated 270 residents, many holding placards which read “hands off public land”, attended the rally which began in the park at 5pm.

Before inviting Cr Crichlow to speak, Mr Sarroff referred to a report in today’s Bulletin which revealed council would have to change the Priority Development Plan for Southport for a casino and resort to be built on the public land.

Eddy Sarroff speaks to the crowd. Picture: Tertius Pickard.

Cr Crichlow said she was part of a council committee in 2012 and 2013 which had decided the future of Southport.

“We got it through that Southport would be the central business district of the Gold Coast. And we developed a priority area plan — that’s a town plan just for the CBD for Southport,” she said.

“That’s where you are standing right now. Under the Priority Development Plan there would be no nightclubs, no brothels, and no casinos.

“It’s as simple as that. And to change that plan for Southport we have to go through that process again, which takes about two and half to three years.

“So it is not going to happen. It will be over my dead body. It is not going to happen.”

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Residents gather in Carey Park. Picture: Tertius Pickard.

Carey Park was named after Cecil Carey who became the Country Party’s MP for Albert after his family set up one of the pioneering businesses in Scarborough Street.

His son Garth Carey who arrived with family members spoke to the rally, pointing to a heritage-listed seawall behind them opposite the Gold Coast Highway.

“This has been park for as long as I can remember. The old seawall is underneath the mount behind us,” he said.

“This is our land. This is open space. There is not enough open space in our community as it is. Why take it away.

“When you have got something like this with a view of the Broadwater, why take it away. It should not be used for commercial uses.

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Garth Carey was one of the speakers. Picture: Tertius Pickard.

“It should remain what it is. A park for the people where you can enjoy yourselves.”

Mr Sarroff was applauded when he called on Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to remove Carey Park from among the 11 sites identified for a global tourism hub.

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Cabinet is expected to call for expressions of interests in the development before the end of this month.

“We want the Premier to call this off once and for all and withdraw its support for Carey Park. This is your land. This is not for sale. The State Government needs to take their hands off public land,” he said.