Osmond asks Palaszczuk why wait to accept Star Gold Coast’s $100m
A tourism lobby group has strongly backed The Star’s offer of $100 million to expand the Gold Coast Convention Centre, saying it’s time the state government made a move.
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A national lobby for tourism and transport sectors is urging State Government to accept Star’s offer of a $100 million convention centre expansion in return for Gold Coast gaming exclusivity.
Tourism and Transport Forum CEO Margy Osmond said the Palaszczuk Government should “press the go button” now on Star’s proposal, which is aimed at seeing off gaming rivals.
Star Entertainment Group last week wrote to the state government offering to pay up to $100 million for much-needed expansion of the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, upgrade its Sheraton Mirage resort and contractually commit to the rest of its $2 billion masterplan at The Star Gold Coast.
Star chairman John O’Neill said in return for its investment package Star would “require exclusivity arrangements” on the Gold Coast.
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Ms Osmond told the Bulletin: “I would encourage the Queensland Government to continue their momentum as a national tourism leader and press the go button with the Star and their proposal right now so that they can start delivering immediately on this exciting new suite of economy and jobs boosting tourism projects which will truly take Queensland to the next level.
“If Queensland is to continue to take on the world and grasp the golden opportunity that tourism provides over the long-term, sustained support for significant investors like The Star is critical.
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“An additional $2 billion rolled gold accommodation and entertainment investment directly into the Gold Coast is a commitment not to be sneezed at.
“And the supporting $100 million expansion and upgrade of the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre and the new tourism experiences at the Sheraton Grand Mirage would also compliment the Gold Coast’s first class international offering and attract some of the biggest global music acts directly to the Glitter Strip.”
Her comments come after Mayor Tom Tate welcomed the offer but said he did not back the concept of having a monopoly for The Star on the Gold Coast.
Star is constructing a third building on its Broadbeach island for Australia’s first Dorsett Hotel and has started selling the next tower. All up, its $2 billion masterplan envisions five more towers on the site in addition to the original Star Grand casino hotel and Darling suite hotel completed in March, 2018.
Tourism Minister Kate Jones had given no indication whether the State Government was interested in discussing Star’s offer, saying last week: “In relation to the proposal by the Star, there is currently a process underway for a potential Global Tourism Hub for the Gold Coast.”
Today on the Gold Coast, she told the Bulletin: “You would have seen the star’s announcement most recently - we are obviously going to have a look at that.
“But that is going to have to fit under the probity arrangements that are happening in the process.”
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