State won’t show hand

THE State Government has refused to rule out Carey Park in Southport as the site for the city’s second casino.

Southport MP Rob Molhoek yesterday asked Tourism Minister Kate Jones to rule out the CBD site, “given the Gold Coast City Council are opposed to the use of Carey Park for a global tourism hub and there has been no community consultation – formal or informal – about the use of this site”.

Ms Jones, who recently ruled out the nearby Broadwater Tourist Park, replied: “No, we will not press ahead with anything unless there is community support. Where we’ve run an expression of interest – we won’t be bullying people into a position. We want to get any development right.”

Outside Parliament, Mr Molhoek said Ms Jones’ failure to answer the question would give little comfort to those opposed to the casino.