Star’s focus on tourism rather than pokies is very welcome

STAR Entertainment Group’s announcement this week of their ambitious expansion plans included some very welcome news (‘Win on the slots’, GCB, 28/5/18).

Rather than proposing more poker machines, Star have pledged to focus on the tourism side of their business, which should greatly benefit Broadbeach, currently experiencing a downturn similar to what Tedder Avenue has suffered in recent years.

Our Association is proud to have played a part in the rejection of the ASF high rise casino proposal for The Spit, and very much hopes that the Master Plan currently being undertaken precludes any casino development.

We note that industry experts believe that to be viable, a second casino on the Gold Coast would require there to be over 2000 pokies – surely an extremely undesirable outcome in terms of the social cost.

We should not forget that the current bad relationship between the Mayor and popular councillor Dawn Crichlow came about after she dared to organise a rally in protest against his proposal to give ASF the site of the Southport bowls and tennis clubs as a consolation prize when the Government knocked back their so-called integrated resort development on the Spit.

The Mayor and Tourism Minister, Kate Jones, may welcome the idea of the Gold Coast becoming a pseudo Las Vegas, but I can assure them that the majority of the community find that idea abhorrent.