Gold Coast second casino: ‘This has been a huge waste of public money’

The State Government is being accused of wasting taxpayer money by continuing to keep a list of eleven potential casino sites under wraps.

THE State Government is being accused of wasting taxpayer money after continuing to refuse to reveal the preferred location of the second Gold Coast casino.

The Bulletin late last week detailed the sites discussed in the report by a tourism advisory panel to Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones, including the finding that none of them were considered a standout.

Southport MP Rob Molhoek preparing to meet residents at Carey Park.

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While Carey Park in Southport was regarded by developers as the ideal location because it is close to the Broadwater Parklands and light rail, residents had staged a strong campaign against the lease of the land.

Southport LNP MP Rob Molhoek, who has been a strong supporter of a resident protest group, told the Bulletin: “Annastacia Palaszczuk’s secret second casino process continues to keep Gold Coast residents in the dark.

“We’ve seen council briefed on 11 secret sites and a report identifying 15 potential locations, but the Palaszczuk Labor Government refuse to come clean.

“Community consultation without identifying the actual location is a complete waste of time and taxpayers’ money. The ongoing uncertainty around this project is also costing investment and local jobs.”

Mr Molhoek said the process for a global tourism hub needed to be “open and transparent” , and the government should “go back to the drawing board”.

Southport locals gather to protest at Carey Park. Picture: supplied.

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But Ms Jones maintains the Government has followed due process, and the LNP was divided with leader Deb Frecklington backing an integrated resort, Mr Molhoek opposed and Broadwater MP David Crisafulli having “a bet each way”.

“It was Rob Molhoek’s government that created a casino licence for the Gold Coast,” Ms Jones said.

“They wanted to build a casino on the Spit – if there is any uncertainty on the Gold Coast, it’s because Campbell Newman strung ASF along for years with the help of MPs like Rob Molhoek.

“It’s complete and utter hypocrisy. Unlike the Opposition we have run a proper process, not done a side deal with one foreign operator to build a casino on the Spit with no consultation.”

GOLD COAST GLOBAL TOURISM HUB: READ THE ADVISORY PANEL REPORT HERE

Resident group leader Eddy Sarroff, who met the panel, said he was pleased with the report’s findings but also believes the government must release the list of their preferred sites.

“We are delighted to hear the news that public land will not be offered for the GTH and casino,” Mr Sarroff told the Bulletin.

“What is disappointing is the local community had to be subjected to the threat of losing public land and recreational areas for the past two years after the Mayor floated the idea of Carey Park Southport in 2017.

“It’s also worth asking why the only site promoted for the casino was Carey Park when 11 sites were kept under wrap. We will wait until the final decision is handed down but we are certainly delighted with the announcement.”

State MP Rob Molhoek is prepared to chain himself to a tree if necessary to save Carey Park from development. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

A former councillor, Mr Sarroff believes the process had been flawed because Carey Park was the only site promoted by the council.

“This has been a huge waste of public money,” he said.

The report found 56 per cent of Gold Coast residents surveyed “strongly or somewhat support” a global tourism hub, and only 13 per cent of those surveyed “strongly or somewhat oppose”.

But residents overwhelmingly were against a casino on public land with much of the opposition recorded during consultation about protecting Carey Park.

The Government since the report’s release has begun negotiating with The Star to formalise its investment which will determine the course of the GTH.