Southport post-Dawn: Why the casino will be the big poll issue after Crichlow retirement

The retirement of veteran Southport councillor Dawn Crichlow has sparked an election race, where a very controversial matter surfaces as the key poll issue.

THE retirement of veteran Southport councillor Dawn Crichlow has sparked an election race, in which a second casino in the CBD now surfaces as the key poll issue.

Councillor Crichlow has been strongly opposed to the planned global tourism hub (GTH) being located on public land at Carey Park, fronting the Broadwater Parklands.

CRICHLOW ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM COAST POLITICS

Councillor Dawn Crichlow addresses a protest in Carey Park. Picture: Tertius Pickard.

The State Government is expected to make public soon the consultation with key stakeholders but council next year will ultimately be involved in the GTH’s planning if given the tick of approval.

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Former councillor and Southport resident Eddy Sarroff has declined to comment on whether he will stand on an anti-casino platform.

But Mr Sarroff confirmed the GTH would be the key issue in the local government campaign and the protest group of residents intended to lobby candidates.

RESIDENTS RAMP UP PROTEST OVER CAREY PARK

Dawn Crichlow talks to a protester at Carey Park. Picture: Tertius Pickard.

“People power will prevail,” Mr Sarroff said. “I’m not going to sit back and let this happen in any shape or form.

“People in this building (where I live opposite the park) are very distressed. There is an argument we can mount to stop it.

Council candidate Brooke Patterson said the Coast and Southport had been “so fortunate” for the service of Cr Crichlow after 28 years and her resolve to fix “street-level” issues.

She admitted to sharing Cr Crichlow’s opposition to the controversial proposal to build a second casino at Carey Park.

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Gold Coast City Council candidate Brooke Patterson who is running for Division 6 is opposed to a second casino.

“Southport’s population is expected to double in the next 20 years,” Ms Patterson said. “That is going to put huge pressure on our community facilities and one of the reasons I stand with Dawn on Carey Park, is that I don’t see it as the right place for a casino.

“In fact, it also goes against the State Government’s own guidelines for a Priority Development Area for Southport.

“The Carey Park casino project would only add to the problems of the Southport CBD and limit our much-needed public open space.”