Tourism Minister Kate Jones: My promise to Gold Coasters on a second casino

Kate Jones is promising residents that a second casino will not be approved unless there is “the strong support of the Gold Coast tourism industry and the broader community”.

KATE Jones is promising residents that a second casino will not be approved unless there is “the strong support of the Gold Coast tourism industry and the broader community”.

The undertaking by the Tourism Minister is in a letter to petitioner David Hutley who gathered more than 9000 signatures on his first petition against a casino.

But Mr Hutley doubts Ms Jones will keep her promise.

THE REPORT CARD THAT SPURRED DECISION ON SECOND CASINO

Anti-casino campaigner David Hutley. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

“I really hope that Kate Jones will listen to the community, but I have my doubts,” he said. “That is why I’ve started another petition.”

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The second petition calls on Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Mayor Tom Tate to stop a second casino because the Glitter Strip had a “saturation level of pokies”.

Mr Hutley has called the government out for keeping secret the 11 sites for the global tourism hub (GTH), and not revealing the number of poker machine licences which will be permitted.

SECOND COAST CASINO COULD LAND ON CAREY PARK

Minister for Innovation and the Tourism Industry Kate Jones says the casino needs “strong support of the Gold Coast tourism industry and the broader community” for it to go ahead. Picture Glenn Hampson

Mr Hutley’s first petition tabled in state parliament was sponsored by Southport MP Rob Molhoek who strongly opposes a GTH on public land at Carey Park.

In her letter, Ms Jones said Mr Molhoek would know that in 2013 the Newman Government created casino licences, including the ASF proposal on The Spit which would have introduced up to 1500 additional pokies on the Coast.

Ms Jones said the GTH would support the government’s broader tourism strategy to encourage more direct flights, increase visitors’ length of stay and spend per night and secure repeat visitation.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE GOLD COAST BULLETIN — JUST $1 FOR THE FIRST 28 DAYS

Protesters gather in Carey Park against the second casino. Eddy Sarroff speaks. Picture: Tertius Pickard.

“A global tourism hub operates with a focus on international tourists not the existing local market,” she wrote.

The Bulletin understands the government could see up to a dozen consortiums signing up for the registration of interest process.

“The Queensland Government has been clear that any casino associated with this development must limit the gaming footprint to five per cent or less of the gross floor area and that a global tourism hub will not result in an increase in electronic gaming machines,” Ms Jones wrote.

STATE GOVERNMENT CALLS FOR REGISTRATIONS OF INTEREST

LNP MPs Shadow State Development Andrew Powell (R), Southport MP Rob Molhoek (C) and Bonney MP Sam O'Connor (L) at Carey Park. Photo: Steve Holland.

Mr Hutley was assured the Gold Coast Tourism Advisory Panel, chaired by business leader John Witheriff, would ensure that the community has a strong say on the design, scope and location of the GTH.

“Government will also be undertaking substantial community consultation and will not say yes to any proposal that does not have the strong support of the Gold Coast tourism industry and broader community,” Ms Jones wrote.

Mr Hutley said the government’s commitment to strong consultation was “good news” but he questioned Labor following the Newman Government’s policy lead.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE GOLD COAST BULLETIN — JUST $1 FOR THE FIRST 28 DAYS

Kate Jones with tourism leaders at the GTH launch at the Q1. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

“Her letter completely ignored the fact that thousands of signatures saying no to a second casino have already come from the broader community to my petition,” he said.

“In her letter she said it was the 2013 Newman Government who created the additional Gold Coast casino licence. It is always good to have someone else to blame.

“Why is Labor letting the Newman Government still run this state? Annastacia Palaszczuk’s Government had the chance to rule out another casino at the Gold Coast after the 2017 failed ASF casino proposal at The Spit.”