State Government rejects ASF casino integrated resort for The Spit

A MULTI-billion dollar integrated resort and casino on The Spit has been rejected by the State Government today marking the end of the long-running ASF project.

THE State Government has torpedoed a $3 billion casino resort earmarked for the Gold Coast’s Southport Spit.

Chinese-backed company ASF had planned a five-tower integrated resort, including a casino, on Crown land on The Spit but Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk today announced it had been rejected and ruled out any development over three storeys on The Spit.

ASF had been named as the preferred proponent for the resort and a second Coast casino.

ASF consortium's integrated resort proposal has been rejected by the State Government

Ms Palaszczuk said public consultation over the project showed the community did not want a casino or high rises on the SeaWorld Drive land.

“That casino license will remain on the Gold Coast but there will be no integrated resort development here on The Spit,” said Premier Palaszczuk.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Deputy Jackie Trad talk with Save Our Spit President Steven Gration after the announcement. Picture Mike Batterham

“There are big issues when it comes to transport and the building of high rise buildings ... the traffic solution on this beautiful part of the Gold Coast would involve something of an eyesore.”

“This area is what Central Park is to New York”

ASF’S BEACH CLUB PLAN

She said the transport challenges for a major project on the site could not be overcome.

“The Spit offers great opportunities for job creation through tourism, entertainment and recreation,” she said.

“What the Spit really needs now is a master plan to revitalise it and increase its benefit to the Gold Coast as a community asset.

“To be clear, this is not a decision that rules out a future Integrated Resort Development on the Gold Coast.”

It is the second knockback for ASF after the State Government rejected its WaveBreak Island Cruise Ship Terminal plan in 2015.

Ms Palaszczuk said the available casino licence would remain on the Gold Coast but not for proposals on The Spit.

The Premier said the government would take Crown law advice on whether taxpayers would have to compensate the China-backed developers for the millions of dollars they’d invested as preferred proponent of the project.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Jackie Trad said the master plan process would ensure the best outcomes for the community.

“And the masterplan that we’re committing to deliver today ensures a future for The Spit which is in accordance with Gold Coast Council’s planning scheme.

“This locks in low-density, three-storey development for our future generations.

“It also helps get the balance right between protecting environmental and community values and allowing appropriate commercial development.”

ASF's Gold Coast Integrated Resort jhas been scuttled.

It is expected the master plan will take 18 months to complete.

The project would have been a major job creator but was unpopular with many locals.

Opposers, led by former Beattie government minister Judy Spence, had railed against the ASF proposal.

Mayor Tom Tate’s plans for a cruise ship terminal on The Spit is likely to be impacted by the Government’s decision, in that the economic viability of the CST relied on a neighbouring casino.

It comes a month after ASF Consortium director Louis Chien confirmed he was in talks with Caesars Entertainment regarding the proposal.

“ASF Consortium has been in ongoing discussions with a number of world-class operators,” he said in July.

Cruise ship terminal gallery

VIEW GALLERY

More than 6500 submissions were made around the general future use of public land and the ASF proposal for a casino and resort.

Public lobbying and advertising from pro and anti development groups was fierce during the consultation period.

The report is likely to impact the Government’s approach to Gold Coast City Council’s $450 million plans for a 6ha cruise ship terminal on public land at Philip Park, across the road from ASF’s proposal.

The park was included by the state during the final days of consultation, which closed in April.