Southport preferred casino location as government and council crunch the numbers

The State Government has drawn up a shortlist of potential sites for a second casino on the Gold Coast – with one sure to provoke significant controversy among the top three options.

A CONTROVERSIAL site remains one of the top three locations on the shortlist for a planned Gold Coast second casino.

Carey Park in Southport is one of eleven sites are “in play” after discussions between council officers, consultants and State Development bureaucrats.

A council report provides the background to a closed session update briefing to councillors on the State Government’s plans to seek expression of interests for a global tourism hub (GTH).

The Carey Park site. Picture Glenn Hampson

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The report said consultants PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) had been employed to conduct an appraisal for the hub and had completed a strategic and options assessment.

PwC considered size, location and infrastructure around sites along with accessibility and nearby public transport.

Eleven sites were identified as “having potential to support a GTH on the Gold Coast” and included “one option of merged sites in Southport”.

Mayor Tom Tate has ruled out Evandale, saying it is “unrealistic”, and Tourism Minister Kate Jones previously told the Bulletin the Broadwater Tourist Park would not be redeveloped.

Other sites still in play include the Star of the Sea north of Nerang Street in Southport, the State Government light rail site at the corner of Scarborough and Queen streets and the Vomitron site in Surfers Paradise.

The Vomitron site in central Surfers Paradise.

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Late last year, some councillors moved the casino-resort should be on privately-owned land.

The motion put by Helensvale-based councillor William Owen-Jones and seconded by Mudgeeraba councillor Glenn Tozer could have removed the favoured State-owned Carey Park from the mix of sites.

However, the two councillors at a committee meeting only gained the support of colleague Peter Young. Area councillor Dawn Crichlow, who supported them, was not present to vote.

Council officers in their report said the council had “given no representation or advice as to the suitability of sites, as the proposals are not currently at the level of detail required for that assessment”.

“The PwC work is complete and the State Government is considering how to undertake the expression of interest process,” the report said.

Councillor William Owen-Jones during a meeting. Picture: Richard Gosling

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The Cabinet Budget Review Committee was to receive a separate report last November prepared by government bureaucrats.

“Recent discussions suggest a ministerial announcement on the Gold Coast GTH is imminent,” the council report added.

The Government had sought the council’s view on whether it wanted to co-brand the expression of interests and nominate a preferred site.

Protest with former councillor Eddy Sarroff and residents of Southport who are against the casino being developed on Carey Park. Photo: Steve Holland

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But council officers in their report advised that the project was “still in the very early stages” and developers in their preliminary discussions would want to deal with one government agency.

“It is also recommended that council does not nominate a site, but endorses State Government’s evaluation criteria for site selection,” the report said.

The Bulletin understands Cabinet next month is likely to debate the GTH and preferred road ahead with the project.

Political sources confirm strong private developer interest in Carey Park with the car park between Australia Fair and the Broadwater Parklands commanding strong views and located close to light rail.