Editorial: The Star master plan is a vote of confidence for the Gold Coast

MULTI-BILLION dollar expansions of The Star Gold Coast is a massive vote of confidence for the area so our story doesn’t end once the Games are finished.

The Star at night.

THE Star Gold Coast’s masterplan is welcome news for our booming little beauty of a city as we look towards our next milestones once our role as host city of the best-ever Commonwealth Games draws to an end.

A resounding vote of confidence in the State, the region, our city and our rapidly growing resident community, the ambitious program of works to be rolled out by The Star from now until 2028 will ensure Queensland’s second-largest city continues to hum after the Games’ Closing Ceremony.

The Darling at The Star Gold Coast. Photo: Supplied

The rollout of what will become a seven-tower portfolio in Broadbeach — the original Star Grand, the new luxury suite hotel The Darling, the $500 million Tower 1, which will begin rising from the ground later this year and another four $300-$500 million high-rises — will drive a positive economy that underpins our success as a city for years to come.

It’s an investment sure to be the envy of not only regional, but metropolitan cities around Australia.

The existing and future jobs generated by The Star Entertainment Group’s massive $2 to $3 billion vote of confidence in the Coast is exactly what our — or any — city needs to enjoy continued, sustainable growth.

The official opening of The Darling on the Gold Coast. The luxury hotel is just the start of expansion plans. Pic Tim Marsden

The numbers speak for themselves — 2000 construction jobs during the rollout of the masterplan and 6000 positions on completion.

Another 3000 new hotel rooms and apartment residences will be delivered across the five new towers — all perfectly positioned along the light rail track within walking distance of our world-famous stretch of beach.

A render of The Star Gold Coast masterplan approved by the Gold Coast City Council planning committee for consideration by the full council on Friday. It includes the existing original hotel, The Star Grand, the new luxury suite The Darling Hotel which will open Thursday, March 22, approved Tower 1 which will start construction post Commonwealth Games behind the Darling Hotel. Plus a further four hotel/residences towers which would complete the master plan.

It’s pleasing to note the facilities the masterplan delivers won’t require or include any increase in the number of poker machines the company operates on the Coast — at least until 2028.

Another 50 food and beverage and retails outlets will join the revitalised portfolio of assets delivered so far as part of The Star’s $850 million refurbishment program — one that’s already seen the property reclaim its place as the heart of entertainment in Broadbeach.

The new jewels in The Star Entertainment Group’s crown — Broadbeach’s new six-star tower The Darling and its incomparable rooftop venue Nineteen — have set a gold standard for what lies ahead.

Beautiful view from The Darling at The Star Gold Coast. Photo: Supplied

The Star took a punt on passionate local self-starters Simon Gloftis and Billy Cross to create a truly unique venue in one of the most desirable tenancies ever offered on the Coast.

As last night’s official opening of the stunning, uniquely Coast-styled restaurant and bar facility shows, they’ve more than smashed it — they’ve seized their chance to show The Star the calibre of ideas, inspiration and innovation our new generation of creative thinkers display.

Similarly, the six-star suite hotel project, delivered as promised in time for the Commonwealth Games, shows we can have confidence in the quality, vision and execution promised under The Star’s masterplan.

The capacity expansion proposed by the company on the Coast is imperative if we are to keep up with the forecast growth in tourism numbers, as Star Group Entertainment managing director and CEO Matt Bekier rightly points out.

The Gold Coast’s evolution, like The Star’s, is an integral part of the nation’s tourism story.

The Star’s commitment to and investment in our city is a vote of confidence in our story so far — and the page-turning chapters ahead.