Gold Coast second casino: Palaszczuk calls for registrations of interest for Global Tourism Hub

Tourism Minister Kate Jones today fired the starting gun on an expressions of interest process for a global tourism hub, with up to a dozen companies in the race to build the Gold Coast’s second casino.

THE Gold Coast is opening its doors to a potentially Disneyland-style mega tourism project by going to market for a second casino licence.

Tourism Minister Kate Jones, making the announcement at Skypoint at 11.15am, said all offers were on the table.

“We don’t want to rule anything in or out at this stage,” she told The Bulletin.

Up to a dozen companies or consortiums are believed to be in play for the bid for a global tourism hub.

Ms Jones cautioned that “if the developments don’t stack up” the government would not proceed with the project.

Proponents will have until next month to register their interest, with the government to evaluate the top bids by October after community consultation and discussions with a new Coast leadership group.

“We will be welcoming all proponents to come forward with their best ideas, their vision for what an integrated resort of world class can benefit the Gold Coast,” Ms Jones said.

HOW MANY CASINO SITES ARE IN PLAY

Minister Kate Jones speaks at the announcement today that the Government has opened an expressions of interest process for a global tourism hub. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Ms Jones was buoyed by comments from tourism leader Tony Cochrane. The Gold Coast Suns chairman welcomed the announcement and said it offered a chance for the city to find out what could be done.

“From my point of view my mind is open, if Disneyland want to take up the opportunity, why wouldn’t we talk to them?”, he said.

“I do not see it necessarily having to have a casino component.

“Let’s bring everything forward and see the opportunity which we can take forward.”

Ms Jones said the government hoped the development could be a “game-changer” for the Coast, which would create thousands of new jobs.

“We want to see new tourism product that sets the Gold Coast apart from the rest of the world,” Ms Jones said.

“... We expect a Gold Coast Global Tourism Hub to create more than 6000 local jobs and attract an extra million tourists each year.”

OTHER NEWS:

Company’s eye-watering loss on supertower site

First look: Gold Coast Airport’s $370m revamp

Gold Coast’s 50 most loveable dogs

Aerial view of Carey Park at Southport, an area proposed for a new Casino for the Gold Coast. Picture Glenn Hampson

Although the project is expected to contain a second Gold Coast casino, Ms Jones said gaming would be limited at the new venue.

“As global tourism hubs are developing around the world we are seeing greater focus on entertainment, high-end retail and convention centre markets, not gaming revenue,” she said.

“That’s why today I can announce we will cap the gaming footprint of any new development at five per cent of gross floor area.”

PUSH TO MAKE LIST PUBLIC OF SECOND CASINO

The Star Group doesn’t believe there needs to be a second casino on the Gold Coast.

The move by the Palaszczuk government comes a week after Star Entertainment Group CEO Matt Bekier slammed plans for a rival casino, declaring it a myth the city needed a GTH.

Mr Bekier argued The Star Gold Coast’s $2 billion Broadbeach masterplan — with a third tower under construction and four more planned in the next 10 years — already represented one.

Ms Jones said her Government would only approve a GTH that had new entertainment venues, convention space, luxury hotels, high-end dining and retail.

“We want to see new tourism product that sets the Gold Coast apart from the rest of the world,” Ms Jones said.

Tourism Minister Kate Jones: “We are determined to get the best outcome for the Gold Coast.” Picture: Jerad Williams

KATE JONES ON SECOND GOLD COAST CASINO

In green lighting the decision to test the market, Ms Jones said the State Government would set up a Gold Coast Tourism Advisory Panel to advise her government throughout any procurement process.

The panel will be chaired by respected Gold Coast businessman John Witheriff with representatives from City of Gold Coast, Destination Gold Coast, Gold Coast Airport and other business and community leaders.

Ms Jones has promised any new gaming resort would not see a net increase in the city’s mandated pokie machine numbers — and said the gaming footprint of a GTH would be limited to five per cent of its floor area.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE GOLD COAST BULLETIN — JUST $1 FOR THE FIRST 28 DAYS

Eleven sites are in play but remain secret and speculation about publicly owned land at Carey Park in Southport being in the mix continues to cause protests from residents.

“We’re not going to say yes to anything that does not have the strong support of the Gold Coast tourism industry and community,” Ms Jones said.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said a GTH had the potential to “take tourism to a whole new level. Today is a great day for the Gold Coast.

“While tourism continues to grow, unless we invest in new opportunities we risk losing market share.

“The previous state government created this casino licence to help the Gold Coast reach our tourism potential. We’ve lobbied really hard to ensure the Palaszczuk Government honours this licence for the Gold Coast community,” he said.