Why Carey Park in Southport could still be site of second casino despite councillors voting against it
NEWLY discovered documents have revealed a prominent Southport site for the city’s second casino were withdrawn by councillors last year — but this could all change later this year.
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A MAJORITY of Gold Coast City councillors are opposed to the favourite Southport site for the planned $3 billion global tourism resort.
Carey Park is believed to be State Development’s preferred site after Tourism Minister Kate Jones ruled out the nearby Broadwater Tourist Park.
But in a stunning turn of events, the Gold Coast Bulletin has discovered a mayoral minute from last year where councillors withdrew their support for the Carey Park site.
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After the Palaszczuk Government cancelled the ASF project in August last year, Mayor Tom Tate moved immediately to secure support for Carey Park. It sparked a protest from members of the Southport Bowls Club and Queens Park Tennis club.
In the mayoral minute on October 17, he referred to a protest about the 6.7ha site which was “magnified by the undignified actions of some in community leadership positions and other political opportunists”.
The Mayor was targeting area councillor Dawn Crichlow and former councillor Eddy Sarroff who led the campaign.
He recommended Acting Mayor Donna Gates write to the Premier indicating council’s withdrawal of support for the IRD on the State-owned Carey Park and its support for an expression of interest campaign on “privately owned land elsewhere in the city”.
Eleven councillors voted in favour, with only Glenn Tozer, Peter Young and Daphne McDonald opposed. The Mayor was absent from the vote.
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Cr Young and Cr Tozer have taken a consistent stand of voting against another casino on the Glitter Strip.
Council insiders suggest all councillors will have to revisit the vote if Carey Park becomes one of the sites targeted by investors when the Government goes to expression of interests later this year.
Cr Tate yesterday told the Bulletin: “I understand the State Government is going to test the market to see potential plans and costings for a global tourism hub.
“This process will be led by the State Government, but the City will assist in any way it can to bring a world-class offering and more local jobs to the city.”
RULED OUT:
● The Broadwater Tourist Park in Marine Parade.
● State Government land south of the Sea World car park.
STILL IN PLAY IN SOUTHPORT:
● The Vomitron site in central Surfers Paradise.
● Carey Park fronting Australia Fair (pending council support)
● The Star of the Sea north of Nerang St.
● State Government light rail site, corner of Scarborough and Queen streets.
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