Gold Coast second casino could force city plan to be altered

Councillors will be forced to do a backflip and change the City Plan if they continue to back the State Government’s push for a second casino and integrated resort in Southport.

COUNCILLORS will be forced to do a backflip and change the City Plan if they continue to back the State Government’s push for a second casino and integrated resort in Southport.

Southport MP Rob Molhoek revealed the council’s Southport’s Priority Development Area (PDA) ruled out “adult entertainment” for the CBD.

The PDA was designed to ensure Southport would be the base for health and knowledge services, medical and legal businesses along with accommodating a wave of residential growth.

Former Gold Coast councillor Eddy Sarroff rallying against a proposed second casino

“It specifically precluded adult entertainment when public consultation was conducted before the PDA was declared,” Mr Molhoek said.

“I think that was the overwhelming view of most people. They didn’t want Southport to become another Surfers Paradise.”

Council’s land-use vision for the Southport PDA positions the Gold Coast CBD as a “world-class centre for employment, community services, commerce and retail, offering a diverse range of housing options and highly desirable lifestyle amenity”.

Assessable development includes a “tourist attraction” but “if not adjoining a sensitive land use”.

Prohibitive development included adult stores, brothels and a “nightclub entertainment facility”.

“It is meant to be an urban village of sorts,” Mr Molhoek said. “The latest growth forecast for the city is 79,000 people in Southport.

“I think we’ve already got enough social destinations on the Gold Coast without putting a big shiny ball in Southport to suck money out of people who can least afford it.

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Southport MP Rob Molhoek is backing residents. Pics:Tim Marsden.

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“Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach are designated centres for tourism and adult entertainment. I’m concerned if you allow a casino or global tourism hub in Southport then Surfers Paradise will end up being stranded.”

Cabinet is expected to this month decide on whether to call expressions of interest for the global tourism hub.

Council is aware of 11 sites, including the highly favoured Carey Park on public land in front of the Broadwater Parklands which supporters say will be perfect for a world-class tourism facility.

They asked yesterday how former councillor Eddy Sarroff is funding his protest campaign which has scheduled a protest rally starting at Carey Park at 5pm today.

Mr Sarroff said he was receiving support from fellow residents and Mr Molhoek had made a personal donation.

“A donation box is at the front of reception (at our units). The entire campaign was $1500. Rob used his own money,” he said.