Star: ‘We already meet GTH funding’

THE Star Gold Coast has doubled down on criticism of State Government’s move to test the market for a rival gaming resort in the city.

The Labor State Government, as revealed in Tuesday’s Bulletin, announced it was inviting registrations of interest in developing a global tourism hub (GTH) in the city.

But Star Entertainment Group CEO Matt Bekier, whose company is building its third tower at Broadbeach and has a $2 billion masterplan for four more, challenged the suggestion there was not already a GTH given Star Gold Coast’s upgrades and expansion.

Now a Star spokesman, in response to Bulletin questions, said the company was “dumbfounded by comments from a so-called government insider who says The Star Gold Coast is not a GTH”.

“According to media all we do know is the entry point for a GTH will be $1 billion. The Star Gold Coast in its current configuration more than comfortably meets that funding.

“In reality, the $1 billion threshold being spoken of for a GTH would not deliver half of what we already have – and that is without considering the approved masterplan to deliver more than $2 billion of additional investment.”

“When we complete the Dorsett hotel we will have tourism investments at the property worth more than $2.3 billion,” the spokesman said.

“We already have the largest hotel in Queensland and the third largest in Australia in The Star Grand. It’s almost 600 rooms have been completely refurbished.

“We have opened almost a dozen new dining and bar experiences, including the award-winning Nineteen at The Star and the hatted Japanese restaurant Kiyomi,” the spokesman said, adding they planned a 4000-person outdoor concert stage too.

Ms Jones has challened the Star to “show they should be the exclusive operators”.