Gold Coast second casino: Carey Park ruled out as site by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk

Carey Park in Southport has been ruled out by Annastacia Palaszczuk as a possible site for a second casino, with the Premier also making a major pledge about other potential sites.

CAREY Park at Southport will not be the site for a second casino on the Gold Coast.

In a stunning response during State Parliament today, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk ruled out not just Carey Park but any other public land for a global tourism hub.

The Bulletin late last week revealed a report about the Global Tourism Hub showed 56 per cent of Gold Coast residents surveyed “strongly or somewhat support” a GTH. But the community was adamant a second casino should not be on public land.

Southport MP Rob Molhoek in Question Time had referred to the release of the report by an advisory group headed by leading businessman John Witheriff which discussed 15 sites for a second casino.

An aerial view of Carey Park in Southport. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

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Mr Molhoek has sought confirmation of the favoured sites. He has joined residents in protesting against Carey Park being considered.

“Why has the Palaszczuk Labor Government continue to keep Gold Coast residents in the dark by failing to run an open and transparent process,” Mr Molhoek asked the Premier.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in her response confirmed the government was taking the recommendations seriously.

“There was an overwhelming response from locals that they do not want a global tourism hub on public land. And my government respects their wishes and have ruled this out,” she said.

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Southport MP Rob Molhoek had said he was prepared to chain himself to a tree if necessary to save Carey Park. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

READ THE FULL GLOBAL TOURISM HUB REPORT

But the Premier declined to speak about other sites as negotiations were continuing with The Star about its master plan.

“We are currently in negotiations on the Gold Coast and because that process is underway I and other members of CBRC (Cabinet Budget Review Committee) are actually bound by probity about actually not commenting about that process. I’d ask the House to respect that,” she said.

Outside the Parliament, Mr Molhoek told the Bulletin: “I’m delighted I have the Premier on the public record in the Parliament ruling out once and for all Carey Park and public land. I actually rang the residents’ committee straight away to let them know.

“They have been fighting hard saving Carey Park and the tennis courts and that area. We will claim that as a win.”

Mr Molhoek said he was not opposed to a GTH, just losing another park and car parking area in Southport.

“I’m relieved because I won’t have to tie myself to a tree (to stop the bulldozers),” he said.