Second Gold Coast casino: Mayor Tom Tate rules out Evandale site

MAYOR Tom Tate has ruled out Evandale as the site for a second Gold Coast casino resort project, slamming the idea as “unrealistic”.

MAYOR Tom Tate has ruled out Evandale as the site for a second casino resort project, slamming the idea as “unrealistic”.

His comments follow reports the State Government will decide by the end of the year on whether to announce an expressions of interest process for a second Gold Coast casino.

On Friday the Bulletin revealed the iconic US company Hard Rock International had officially decided to bid for the licence.

Gold Coast City Council’s Evandale headquarters was looming as the most likely site for the proposal by Hard Rock’s Tokyo-based Asian board. A bridge would link it to Surfers Paradise, while the other site under serious consideration is Carey Park beside the Broadwater Parklands in Southport.

Mayor Tom Tate turns the first sod on the “green bridge” which will connect Chevron Island to the Gold Coast Cultural Precinct and Home of the Arts (HOTA) at Evandale last week. Picture: Andrew Potts

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The Hard Rock interest was welcomed by Cr Tate, but he was against any changes to the newly-developed Home Of The Arts space at Evandale.

“We have a 10-year master plan for HOTA and nothing will change there,” he said.

“There are many locations on the Gold Coast including Carey Park in Southport, Broadwater Parklands, and many others.

“The one comment I will make is that Evandale will remain Home of the Arts, we’ve done a master plan, it’s a 10-year project. So for those people that love the arts, not to worry, we’re keeping on course with that.

“I like Southport as a location, given the transport investment has already been made there, and we have a Priority Development Approval system in place.”

State Government ministers will be asked to approve going to market on the global tourism hub before Christmas, which will open up expressions of interest.

An artist’s impression of the planned art gallery at the Gold Coast Home of the Arts (HOTA) at Evandale.

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“This is a state-led project,” Cr Tate said. “As it stands, the first hurdle for any proponent will be to win state approval when they issue a global expression of interest later this year.

“But news that such an iconic global casino operator like Hard Rock has its eyes set on our city is a huge vote of confidence in our future.”

A spokesman for Hard Rock International said the Palaszczuk Government’s strategy to attract new investment in Queensland’s tourism industry would boost international visitors and local jobs on the Gold Coast.

“We believe the Government’s Global Tourism Hub strategy is the best way to attract strong international interest to bring new world-class tourism and entertainment drawcards to a world-class destination – the Gold Coast,” the spokesman said.

“And we’re interested.”

The Bulletin understands the Government does not have a preferred site and wants the hub to be a market-led process.

The progress comes after the Labor State Government last week approved Star Gold Coast’s $2 billion 10-year masterplan for its Broadbeach Island site, allowing for four more towers to be built.