The Spit’s big casino gamble as Labor rolls the dice on its planning options

THE Labor State Government’s masterplan for The Spit rules out an integrated casino-tourism resort or global tourism hub, leaving the Opposition fuming. But there’s good news for a cruise ship terminal.

THE Labor State Government’s masterplan for The Spit rules out an integrated casino-tourism resort or global tourism hub, leaving the Opposition fuming.

Southport with Carey Park fronting the Broadwater Parklands and the privately-owned Vomatron site in Surfers Paradise are now firming as favourites for the planned $3 billion global tourism hub.

Labor insiders believe it would have been “political suicide” for the Government to tick off on a casino tower in the three-level height restricted zone as part of its 50-year planning blueprint for The Spit.

HOW THE SPIT COULD HAVE LOOKED

No casino was included in the masterplan

INSIDE THE SPIT’S INCREDIBLE MAKEOVER

“There’s no plan for it (a global tourism hub). It’s not an option as far as the government is concerned,” a government spokesman said.

The 50-page master plan options also torpedoes a cruise ship terminal at the northern end, despite many proponents arguing the Seaway was the only viable location.

Options include either “an iconic landmark building with an over and under water element” like a deck and cafe, or an informal parkland ensuring Doug Jennings Park is a low-key grassed area for families and tourists.

The planning allows for an oceanside cruise ship terminal at Philip Park, but if the council fails with its project the car park in that section will be upgraded, an environmental centre created along with a new southern gateway to Federation Walk.

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The Spit master plan options report — showing a potential fisherman's markets.

Opposition leader Deb Frecklington is furious with the options accusing Labor of delaying projects and jobs.

“The previous rejection of a co-ordinated project and the draft options paper released on the weekend both indicate that Labor doesn’t consider a Gold Coast cruise ship terminal as a priority,” Ms Frecklington said.

“This comes on the back of previous comments from Annastacia Palaszczuk in favour of Luggage Point in Brisbane.

“An integrated resort development could also support a new cruise ship terminal but both projects seem to be getting further and further away.

“If these job creating projects aren’t resolved by the next state election, then Annastacia Palaszczuk has failed the Gold Coast.”

Options for the masterplan around Sea World.

One of the potential sites for a global tourism hub had been a 6ha Crown land site south of the Sea World car park, one of the most sought after on the Coast having been valued between $80 million to $100 million.

The options report explains it could become either a boutique mixed-use development providing “additional short term accommodation linked to Sea World and a multi-level car park” — or a green car park with the bitumen area pulled back from the foreshore.

State Development Minister Cameron Dick said the master plan options provide for areas on The Spit where appropriate commercial developments could occur.

“This could include accommodation and tourism-focused development south of Sea World adhering to the height limit of three storeys consistent with the Gold Coast City Plan released in 2016,” he said.

Tourist facilities which could soon be built at the top end of the Spit.

Mr Dick accused the LNP of either being unable to read or add-up regarding comments on the timing of the master plan.

“Our government has always said the master plan process would take 18 months,” he said.

“Consultation on the master plan began in February 2018, and the plan is well on track to be finalised by July 2019.

The LNP did nothing for three years when they were in government to progress this important project for the people of the Gold Coast. We are on schedule to deliver it.”