Palaszczuk Government and Gold Coast Council to support second casino after ASF axing

A SECOND casino is back on the cards for the Gold Coast with the State Government and Council to confirm backing of the project this morning. But ASF may not be part of the plan.

A SECOND casino will be built on the Gold Coast but preferred proponent ASF may not be part of the plan.

Mayor Tom Tate has announced this morning that State Development Minister Anthony Lynham has written to him on behalf of Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk confirming support for a second casino which will compete with The Star at Broadbeach.

The proposed second casino on a large Southport site which would include Queen’s Park Tennis Club, the Southport Bowls Club and Carey Park has been scrapped.

The State Government will instead launch a worldwide expression of interest campaign to find a developer.

It could be built on private or public land anywhere in the city.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has been pushing Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to support a second casino. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

“When we get knocked down, we get back up,” Cr Tate today said about the new plan after ASF was rejected.

“I don’t believe in monopoly (of casinos).

“Council will withdraw its proposal (to build the integrated resort on the Southport Bowls Club site) to ensure everyone has an even playing field and we’ll have a look and test the market to see who’s got the best option for the city.”

“When you put that together initially, you’re trying to go ‘well this will activate our CBD’. I’d say to everyone now — to give certainty to the bowls club and tennis club — that it’s opened up to the whole of the city and that site is no longer necessary.”

The Southport site proposal has been scrapped

ASF Consortium was previously the state’s possible preferred proponent and it is unknown where today’s announcement leaves the developer, who were selected during the former Newman Government’s 2012-13 expression of interest.

ASF consortium’s proposed Integrated Resort at The Spit, which was knocked back by the State Government

The government ended ASF’s $3 billion plans for a casino and integrated resort at The Spit in early August.

Cr Tate wrote to the premier requesting she consider building a casino in central Southport.

In his letter to the premier, Cr Tate suggested putting the casino on a large site which would include Queen’s Park Tennis Club, the Southport Bowls Club and Carey Park.

The move would have required both clubs to be relocated or incorporated into existing sports clubs, with Southport Bowls Club set to get a waterfront Broadwater position.

The suggestion sparked fury from community groups.