Paul Weston: the 15 secret sites for the second Gold Coast casino

Where could a second casino be built on the Gold Coast? A list of top sites has been kept secret. But a new report to the State Government lists 15 locations, and the reasons for support and opposition. The surprise is not one emerges as a winner.

A NEW report on community views on a global tourism hub has listed 15 locations, even though the State Government has kept its list of top sites secret.

But the surprise from the report – stemming from community consultation assessing support and opposition – is that not one site has emerged as a winner for Gold Coasters.

So where could a second casino be built?

Carey Park is a standout site for a second casino — but it faced a protest from residents about handing over public land. Picture: Tertius Pickard.

Business leader John Witheriff and his advisory panel, given the task by Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones to undertake community consultation on a global tourism hub, found 68 per cent of respondents supported it, but it was dependent on the location.

About 62 per cent agreed an integrated resort with a casino could “bring life to some areas of the Coast that aren’t thriving”.

Several specific locations were raised.

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Here is a summary – in order – of the sites and findings:

* Carey Park, Southport. Regarded by developers as a viable, ideal location close to the Broadwater Parklands and light rail. It would give Southport a significant boost, stimulating growth in the priority development area. But residents want the tennis and bowls clubs to remain, are concerned about loss of open space and point to councillors voting against this location.

Aerial view of Carey Park at Southport. Picture Glenn Hampson.

* Old Gold Coast Hospital site. It is large enough to be viable and the city is not losing prime waterfront space. There is no opposition, but the problem is it is privately owned and set for a new development.

* Broadwater Parklands. No support for this location. It has been excluded by the Government.

* Broadwater Tourist Park. Suggested by some stakeholders because it is close to the waterfront and light rail. Some opposition because it is next to the Parklands and homes opposite.

* Coolangatta. Support because southern Coast lacks development. The area is close to the airport and potential access to light rail. But there is opposition because the town is known for surfing and not major tourism development.

* Southport (general). The CBD is starting to be revitalised and a tourism attraction would help, but some feel the area should remain a business hub and for locals, not the tourists.

* Nerang. Very little tourism infrastructure there and a GTH would help boost the economy, but not an attractive location, too far from the beach.

Artist impression of retirement village planned for old Gold Coast Hospital site as part of the Queen Street Village development in Southport. Picture: Supplied.

* Surfers Paradise. The existing tourism precinct and a GTH would be well suited, but the precinct is perceived by locals as “run down, dirty and unpleasant”. Problem is not enough space and buildings would need to be demolished.

* Golf/Turf Club. Popular suggestions with plenty of land, owned privately. The big challenge would be a lack of public transport connections.

* Hinterland. Proposal for an eco-style resort. Again there is a question of viability because of transport problems and the area not being close to the beach.

* Mudgeeraba. Put forward by several stakeholders. Close to CBUS and Metricon stadiums. A third indoor stadium of 30,000 to 40,000 could be built for concerts. But again, it is too far from the beach.

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* Robina. The large unused area between the creek and the existing CBUS stadium. Good transport links. No real opposition but there is the beach factor again.

* Tuesleys Park in Marine Parade, Southport. Close to transport and CBD. It would help urban renewal of Labrador. The community is opposed because it would lose open space, and there would be an impact on the boat ramp and car park.

Northern Broadwater — one of the sites.

* Main Beach Tourist Park. Close to Surfers Paradise and attractions at The Spit. Would reinvigorate Tedder Avenue. Opposed by the local community because it is a high density residential area.

* Macintosh Island Park. Large area, well positioned, in existing Surfers Paradise tourism area and away from residential properties. But it is a highly popular recreational area and there is a strong sense of community ownership.

Mr Witheriff concluded that because a site had not been nominated, many residents had defaulted to the position of opposition to a GTH.

“The level of community support for a GTH is dependent on the proposed location, although there is not one location suggested that receives unanimous support,” the report said.

John Witheriff — because a site was not nominated, many residents opposed the GTH.

What the Government found when it pursued the GTH process in Cairns was far less interest by consortiums there than on the Gold Coast. The solution was to offer up the best waterfront.

On the Glitter Strip, the GTH lesson is just how little prime land is available.

The report concluded the city needs new tourism infrastructure.

But how and where could it be built?