Proposed $3B Southport casino could hurt Surfers Paradise according to opponents

SURFERS Paradise could be ‘killed off’ if a $3 billion casino is built in Southport rather than in the heart of the tourism precinct according to an opponent of the project.

THE State Government is being warned that a casino in Southport risks Surfers Paradise being left “stranded” between the CBD and Broadbeach, effectively killing off the city’s tourism jewel.

Southport MP Rob Molhoek, who has the support of business and tourism leaders, wants the government to rethink its strategy for a global tourism hub after reports about Carey Park in front of Australia Fair being the favoured site.

Aerial view of Carey Park at Southport which is favoured as the site for a global tourism hub. Picture Glenn Hasmpson

The government intends to go to the market by year’s end but early speculation suggests the Vomitron site in central Surfers Paradise will be the only real competition for Southport.

Mr Molhoek fears a second casino in the CBD as competition for The Star at Broadbeach will leave Surfers Paradise “book-ended in the middle” at a time when retailers desperately need tourist traffic.

“We built our city’s reputation around Surfers Paradise and it will be stranded. There are a significant number of large sites in there that have been laying idle for a long time,” Mr Molhoek said.

Southport MP Rob Molhoek at Parliament House. Pic Tim Marsden

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“If there’s to be a global tourism hub and refocus on tourism, it should be in the tourism heart.”

The experienced MP and former city councillor warns a casino at Carey Park would compete with the CSi (the former Southport Workers Club), Southport Sharks and the Southport RSL Club, all of which were being upgraded or attracting improved trade after tough times.

But the government almost had “an obsession for public land to be sold”.

“I don’t think giving the land away to a casino operator is in the best public interest,” Mr Molhoek told the Bulletin.

“Personally, I think a casino for the Coast is a hard case to build. If they want to build one it should be in a precinct intended for tourism.

“Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach are our adult entertainment precincts. That’s where the tourists go. We don’t want another casino relying on local people. We want (at attraction) to draw people to the city.”

When Southport was considered as a priority development area, the view from the government and council was for it to be a developing business precinct for education and health providers along with creating a legal district, Mr Molhoek said.

“May be there needs to be a PDA over Surfers. It needs to be maintained at the highest level. I think it would be such a mistake to let Surfers Paradise flounder,” he said.

The Vomitron site in central Surfers Paradise.

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Save Surfers Paradise secretary Deborah Kelly agreed with Mr Molhoek, saying few sites were available to accommodate such a large development without giving away precious and scarce public land.

“That must not happen. We must preserve our public land for future generations. Once it is gone, it can never be bought back. All the great cities around the world have preserved prime public land – we must do the same,” Ms Kelly said.

“Surfers Paradise, as the Gold Coast epicentre of tourism and the most widely recognised tourism brand, is the obvious choice for a global tourism hub – that’s a no-brainer – but only if the business case stacks up and only if it is sited on privately owned land.

“The case has not been made for another casino, and the devastation that it would wreak on local licensed clubs – clubs that make an enormous and valuable contribution to the fabric of our community and society, cannot be overstated.”

Ms Kelly said a new casino in Surfers Paradise could lead to the closure of the RSL club and even the surf club along with clubs in the surrounding suburbs.

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The Star Gold Coast Masterplan Development (viewed from the north) at its island site at Broadbeach.

She said the business community may welcome the investment of a global tourism hub in Surfers Paradise but it would need to have certain conditions.

“It would only have wide acceptance if it is to be sited on suitable privately owned land, is supported by a strong business case with appropriate environmental, social and economic impacts assessed and will not threaten the viability of established institutions such as our licensed clubs,” Ms Kelly said.

Businesses were advised at council planning workshops earlier this year that the precinct’s major weaknesses included “the amount of vacant space” and “some poor quality buildings”.

The major threats to Surfers Paradise were top-end retailers relocating to other centres and the lack of local investment, which meant “some areas are very daggy”.

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The Star Gold Coast Masterplan Development which will reignite Broadbeach as a tourism destination.

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Surfers Paradise Alliance chief executive officer Mike Winlaw believes the heart of the Glitter Strip must be at the forefront of any future discussions about high end tourist product for the Coast.

While not talking specifically about the casino or a new resort opportunity, Mr Winlaw said Surfers Paradise needed to be “on the radar” for the Government as it considered new tourism options.

“Surfers Paradise needs to be at the forefront to thinking. It’s such an economic engine room with the significant number of hotel rooms in the precinct,” Mr Winlaw said.

“It is important that we consider economic development in Surfers Paradise and provide an offering that drives more people into accommodation houses.”