Second Gold Coast casino: Why the Broadwater Parklands will not be in play

Consortiums involved in talks about building a second casino on the Gold Coast say they believe the Broadwater Parklands is a “no go zone” for one very simple reason.

CASINO consortiums say the Broadwater Parklands is a “no-go zone” for an integrated resort, aware a community protest can torpedo the $1.5 billion project.

A weekend report in the Bulletin said a global tourism hub investor who had met with the State Government believed the Parklands could come into play opposite Carey Park.

But several consortiums also in talks have poured cold water on the speculation which has fired up debate about a second casino on the Glitter Strip.

RESIDENTS SHUN POTENTIAL SITE FOR GTH

The maps presented to Gold Coast councillors when first considering a second casino for the city, at Carey and Queens Park in Southport. They exclude the Parklands.

“I can absolutely guarantee you that we won’t be going into the Broadwater Parklands,” a proponent said.

“It’s off limits. They (casino bidders) will never touch the Parklands. They know it will be bring down the whole wrath of the community.”

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The proponent said the only changes to the Parklands, if Southport’s Carey Park became a site, would be a ferry terminal.

“The ferry terminal would be in line with the Broadwater light rail station. It would be encroaching on the Broadwater side, not the Parklands.”

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The Southport maps presented to councillors.

‘NO SECOND CASINO’: THREAT FROM THE STAR CASINO

When the council revived the integrated residential resort process in late 2017, maps produced on Carey Park ruled out the Parklands.

Another casino source confirmed the Parklands had never come into play as a site.

The popular family venue has been built in three stages since 2008 at a cost of almost $70 million of taxpayer money and remains a Commonwealth Games legacy.

“I’ve been in discussions with the State Government for 12 months. It was made very clear the Registration of Interests was not about sites,” the casino source said.

“The Government would make a decision about sites at the end. Anyone who says there has, has been lying for political purposes.”

COAST GETS MORE POKIES DESPITE PROMISES FOR NO MORE

An image posted by Southport MP Rob Molhoek on his Facebook page.

The casino source said it was important to understand the ROI and Expressions of Interests had been designed so proponents could show the amount of community support for a GTH.

“There is no community support for using the Broadwater Parklands. No-one would consider using it in their site discussion,” the source said.

Southport MP Rob Molhoek, who put up signage for Save Carey Park information day on Saturday, has posted an image on his Facebook page which shows hotels from Carey Park to the Parklands.

“Scarey Park! No thanks, not in Southport, not in our Parklands,” he wrote.