Coolanghetto knockout blow: Will SandTunes be moved from beach to new location?
Concerns about the SandTunes concert being held on the southern Gold Coast have led to a radical new proposal.
Gold Coast
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CURRUMBIN MP Jann Stuckey has been accused of putting future tourism events at risk after saying the SandTunes concert will turn the southern Gold Coast into Coolanghetto.
In an emotive speech in State Parliament, the former Tourism Minister called on the government to move the two-day music festival which is expected to attract 35,000 revellers to Coolangatta beach from November 30.
“It took years for Coolangatta to regain its reputation after being labelled Coolanghetto. Drugs will be rife,” Ms Stuckey told Parliament.
Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon, concerned about the Coast’s reputation for attracting big tourism events, today spoke to Tourism Minister at State Parliament and offered an alternative.
“If the LNP don’t want this event in the southern Gold Coast then let’s bring it to the Gaven electorate. We’ve built Metricon Stadium, so let’s bring another event there,” Ms Scanlon told the Bulletin.
“It creates more jobs in the community, economic benefit, and it highlights what a great asset we have already in the electorate.”
Ms Scanlon said she was prepared to talk to promoters but understood Ms Jones would take the lead role.
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“If I need to speak to the promoter as well I will put my views forward. We want our stadiums to be used for events. We’ve been able to secure (international) cricket at the Gold Coast to be played at Metricon and of course the Queen tribute show will be playing there.”
Asked about the impact of Ms Stuckey’s comments, Ms Scanlon said it was important to promote the Coast’s reputation as an event city given the success of the Commonwealth Games in 2018.
“Look I think it’s disappointing that we have LNP members who talk down events on the Gold Coast. We saw a lot of negative comments coming from the LNP during the Commonwealth Games,” she said.
“Now again we’re seeing negative comments about another event. Really, that puts out city at risk of being able to attract more events when there are members of Parliament actively trying to oppose these events from happening.”
Outside the Parliament, Ms Jones told the Bulletin: “This is a line-up of artists the Gold Coast has never seen before. Early economic modelling shows it will generate more than $10 million for local businesses — this is a great shot in the arm for the tourism industry.
“I’m happy to make representations to the event company about the possibility to move SandTunes to Metricon Stadium.”
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