A new proposal for the construction of a multi-billion casino resort in Gold Coast has surfaced a little more than two weeks after a similar plan was rejected by the Queensland government.
State Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said back then that the opportunity for a project of this type was not scrapped completely and that the Gold Coast casino license was still available.
Local media reported earlier today that the Gold Coast City Council has prepared a new proposal for integrated resort development and has informed Premier Palaszczuk about its new plans with a letter sent to the state’s top official on August 8.
The new plan involves the construction of a casino complex at a site located in the central part of Southport. According to media reports, the site includes the Southport Bowls Club and the Queen’s Park Tennis Club as well as the nearby Carey Park. The existing facilities are likely to be relocated or incorporated into other sports clubs in the area, if the new casino resort proposal is approved by the government.
Under the recently rejected plan, Chinese-backed group of investors ASF Consortium proposed to build a five-tower integrated casino resort at a site on the Southport Spit, next to the Sea World marine park. The developer was selected as the preferred bidder for the construction of a Southport complex back in 2014. It first presented a A$7-billion-plus casino resort scheme for the man-built Wavebreak Island, but did not get the green light from the government.
As it became known late last month, its second proposal – the one for a A$3-billion resort on the Spit – was, too, rejected by Premier Palaszczuk’s government.
Local media reported that the new plan presented by the Gold Coast City Council includes a site located in an immediate proximity to a portion of land owned by ASF Consortium. Last year, the developer was given the nod by the government to proceed with a plan for the construction of a two-tower complex. The Au development project involves a 66-story “gold” tower and an adjacent 15-story tower. The high-rise tower will be “enveloped in gold glazing” to be easily distinguished from its surroundings.
According to media sources, The Au site was among those discussed for the potential location of a casino.
It has also become known that Gold Coast City Councilors have already discussed the new integrated resort proposal. The new plan was met with both support from some councilors and opposition from others.
Southport Councilor Dawn Crichlow was among those to oppose the project. Ms. Crichlow told media that the proposed casino site had previously been zoned as open space for recreation and that she believes it should remain open space forever.
The Gold Coast City Council is yet to receive a formal reply to its letter to Premier Palaszczuk.
