Inside the Gold Coast’s global tourism hub and why Labor gambles on another casino

IF you’re not 100 per cent sure why our state government is so focused on developing a global tourism hub, I’ve done the research for you, writes Paul Weston. This is what a global tourism hub will look like — and what it’s for.

WHAT really is a global tourism hub? How could one be built at a Southport car park fronting the highway? And what benefits could Gold Coast taxpayers expect from giving up Crown land?

These are questions that need to be answered. Southport MP Rob Molhoek who opposes a casino-resort in his electorate, contacted the Parliamentary Library and Research Service.

Aerial view of Carey Park at Southport, an area proposed for the global tourism hub. Picture Glenn Hampson

Its seven-page brief after a search of government websites, media articles and parliamentary debate provides a start.

A global tourism hub (GTH) is a vehicle whereby the Government “incentivises” the private sector to deliver on its policies.

At its simplist, it is world-class tourism infrastructure, high-quality accommodation encouraging big-spending tourists from Asia to stay longer.

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The original site considered by Gold Coast city councillors included the tennis and bowls clubs at Southport.

It’s not just about “accelerating tourism growth” — it needs to support “local infrastructure initiatives”.

Researchers could not find any legislation that refers to a GTH.

Cairns is the only guide because the Government started the process there after a registration of interest on October 30 last year.

The first round of community consultation ran from December 20 through to February 11 this year. Twelve players responded with plans to rejuvenate the waterfront.

Carey Park offers a huge parcel of land with Broadwater access. Picture Glenn Hampson

What we know on the Coast is limited after answers in State Parliament by Tourism Minister Kate Jones to questions from Opposition MPs David Crisafulli, Sam O’Connor and Mr Molhoek.

The GTH will not bring an increase in poker machines and the Broadwater caravan park will not be considered, but Carey Park remains in play.

The council told Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk last November that Carey Park — at that stage it included not just the car park and park but the tennis courts, bowls club and croquet area — was no longer supported.

The council will be the “referral agency” for the Government, so it must be on board. Mayor Tom Tate has a solid working relationship with Ms Jones and supports Southport for a second casino.

What a global tourism hub can look like. Image from Echo Entertainment.

So let’s put aside the questions about poker machine licences and how a new casino might obtain them or make a profit without them.

Look at the aerial photograph of Carey Park, think about how area councillor Dawn Crichlow and former councillor Eddy Sarroff have organised protest groups, and weigh up what that means politically for the Government.

How could a casino resort work on that parcel of land? The answer, if you talk to developers, would be move the highway west right in front of Australia Fair.

Tourists in the resort would step out on to the Broadwater Parklands, their feet touching the water.

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The developer could offer to improve the road network around the congested Sundale Bridge. A small stadium or entertainment facility could be included.

So from the Government’s perspective, some key boxes are being ticked. They would see this as a large parcel of land that could be transformed like Queens Wharf in Brisbane.

What about the timing? Queensland’s next state election will be in October 2020. For Labor to win it needs Meaghan Scanlon to retain Gaven.

By 2020 Labor will have delivered The Spit masterplan — let’s say it retains the three-level building height and secures the northern bushland, this will appease green voters.

The ALP’s political research tells it many Coast residents love big new toys, so their gamble will be encouraging a bright new casino-resort to compete with Big Brother on the river up the road.