Second casino Gold Coast: Minister won’t say if licence will be scrapped if deal done with Star
Tourism Minister Kate Jones has refused to say what would happen to the licence for a second casino on the Gold Coast if negotiations with The Star are successful.
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TOURISM Minister Kate Jones has refused to reveal what will happen to the Gold Coast’s second casino license if negotiations with Star are successful.
Ms Jones was asked at a press conference this morning if the licence – created by the Newman Government in 2012 – would be scrapped as part of a deal with The Star.
“I am not going to pre-empt that until we negotiate with the Star, but the Star have been very clear if we were to enter an exclusive agreement then they would want an exclusive contract,” she said.
“We have the endorsement from the Gold Coast to move forward with a multi billion dollar investment in tourism infrastructure and we will sit down with Star first out of respect for their significant investment in the community. “
Star Entertainment Group last month offered to pay up to $100 million for the much-needed expansion of the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, upgrade its Sheraton Mirage property at The Spit, and contractually commit to the rest of its $2 billion Star Gold Coast masterplan.
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The Gold Coast Bulletin this morning revealed the State Government would enter negotiations with Star on its offer in a bid to resolve the seven-year saga.
The move follows a report by respected businessman John Witheriff which showed mixed support for a “Global Tourism Hub”.
Ms Jones, speaking to media at the release of the report, said new tourism investment was needed on the Gold Coast.
“What you have heard from John Witheriff is that the Gold Coast community understands we need new investment in tourism infrastructure to grow the industry and create jobs,” she said.
“Throughout this process, what we see is the incumbent company here, Star Group, have said they believe they are best placed to deliver an additional $2 billion of infrastructure which will be a game changer.
“We will enter negotiations with Star. They can put up or shut up about their development.
“We understand they are absolutely committed to the Gold Coast community – they have made public their future plans for tourism infrastructure.
“We have decided we will approach Star to exclusively deal with them so they can provide detail of their offer. The government will examine this offer and make a decision.”
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A spokesperson for The Star welcomed the opening of negotiations with the government and promised to “move quickly” on its projects if the talks are successful.
“The Star is committed to Queensland and committed to driving tourism for this State,” the spokersperson said.
“We welcome the opportunity to negotiate a potential agreement with the State Government.
“Under the right conditions we will deliver an additional $2 billion-plus masterplan for The Star Gold Coast, create further tourism appeal around the Sheraton Grand Mirage and contribute to a much-needed expansion and upgrade of the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.
“The Gold Coast needs this type of tourism investment to compete with other states and countries as the battle for market share continues.
“If we are given the green light, we can move quickly to commence projects that will deliver thousands of construction and operational jobs and opportunities for Queensland suppliers.
“Our offer has immediacy and guaranteed dollars.
“If rolled out in full The Star will be able to showcase more than $9 billion worth of tourism investments and infrastructure across south east Queensland.
“The Star Gold Coast masterplan and the Queen’s Wharf Brisbane project will together create the opportunity to disperse increased numbers of tourists to other regions of Queensland as well.”
The report by the Global Tourism Hub (GTH) Advisory Panel shows 56 per cent of Gold Coast residents surveyed “strongly or somewhat support” a global tourism hub.
Only 13 per cent of those surveyed “strongly or somewhat oppose” a new integrated resort. They cited concerns of overdevelopment, dislike for a second casino, or did not believe the project stood out from what was available on the Glitter Strip.
Mr Witheriff was commissioned in March to draw up the report.
It was based on 38 face-to-face meetings, individual submissions surveys and four focus groups and surveys as well as talks with community groups opposed to the project.
He said the results were clear.
“Gold Coasters don’t just want a second casino, they want an asset that will act as an attractor,” he said.
“If you just whacked up another hotel, Gold Coasters could take or leave that, but this community is smart, they understand what is going on and that is 92 per cent of our tourism comes from the domestic market.
“There is real opportunity to grow the international market where we have seen a decline in growth compared to other parts of Australia which has seen growth.”
Destination Gold Coast chairman Paul Donovan endorsed Ms Jones’ decision to deal with Star.
“The outcome will be good for the city and the upgrade of the Convention Centre,” he said.
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