‘Stop the sabre rattling’

Call to resolve Star talks for sake of the economy

A FRUSTRATED business leader says he’s had enough of the uncertainty around the future of a potential global tourism hub as the Gold Coast’s economy struggles.

Despite promising a speedy resolution four months ago, the Bulletin understands there is no agreement on the horizon between the Star Entertainment Group and the State Government. Star and the State Government started talks to try and thrash out a deal locking in an expansion of Star Broadbeach and Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in exchange for Star getting casino exclusivity. A decision had been expected by the end of last year.

A leading business figure says the time for sabre rattling is over with the city’s two biggest industries suffering.

The coronavirus crisis has caused a significant downturn in tourism and cost businesses $500 million and counting in the past three weeks while the development industry has seen a slowdown in recent months. “At some point the sabre rattling must stop and we need to get down to focusing on how to improve our economy,” Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce president Martin Hall said. “While not having a position on the politics of having a second casino, we’re aware of the needs of tourism and what an expansion of the convention centre would mean.

“We do not want to find ourselves in a long stalemate as we did with the ASF development with months of speculation when we could be doing something.”

Star last October offered to pay up to $100 million for much-needed expansion of the Convention and Exhibition Centre, upgrade Sheraton Mirage and contractually commit to the rest of its $2 billion Star Gold Coast masterplan. In return it wanted exclusivity meaning no second casino and has since declared a 30-year period would be a start point.

Tourism Minister Kate Jones said she wanted a deal done “as soon as possible”.

“We are continuing our good faith negotiations. Not only do we want to deliver world-class facilities for the Gold Coast, we need to ensure we drive value for taxpayers.” Star declined to comment. It comes as Gold Coast Senator Murray Watt used a Senate speech to plead the city’s case for more tourism funding. “It’s really crucial we see Federal Government step up, recognise the risk this crisis provides to the Coast economy and tourist economy and starts doing something,” he said.

His comments came after Gold Coast-based Ministers vowed to find a long-term fix.

BULLETIN VIEW, P14