STAR BURST
8000 jobs to build and run casino mega plan Rivals Brisbane’s $3b Queen’s Wharf development
THE Star Entertainment Group promises to be the engine room of the Gold Coast construction sector for the next 10 years, with its masterplan detailing $3 billion of development and up to 8000 jobs as it looks to roll out another five towers at the Broadbeach site.
THE Star Entertainment Group’s multi-billion dollar Gold Coast masterplan – now with city council backing – rivals its $3 billion Queen’s Wharf development in Brisbane.
The ambitious scale of the hospitality, gaming and accommodation giant’s vision for its Broadbeach site can be revealed after Gold Coast City Council yesterday endorsed The Star masterplan.
The island would eventually boast seven towers in total. Construction alone is estimated to employee 2000 jobs. All up, the fully realised Star masterplan would require 6000 jobs to operate and supply, with 50 food, beverage and retail outlets. The site currently employs about 2000.
After the city council gave the plan a thumbs up, it now goes to the Attorney-General’s office for further consideration.
In total, it would amount to a $2-$3 billion investment and would see a further five towers added to the existing original Star Grand hotel and new The Darling luxury suite highrise.
The next 50-plus storey tower is scheduled to start construction just after next month’s Commonwealth Games in July or August, and already has approval.
The final four highrises in the plan stand at 52, 54, 65 and 74 storeys.
The Star CEO Matt Bekier said while Brisbane’s Queen’s Wharf integrated resort would be fully operational by 2022, the Gold Coast masterplan would be staged over the next 10 years.
“It is comparable to Queen’s Wharf and that is deliberate because if we look at tourism and the growth opportunity, the way to really make money for Queensland and Australia in general is to extend trip length,” Mr Bekier said of Star’s Gold Coast plans.
“Just having Queen’s Wharf on the map and getting people to Brisbane, after two to three days they will move on and we need to find a way to extend the trip length in southeast Queensland.
“We know tourists, particularly Asian tourists, visit about three places in Australia per trip. We want to make sure two of those three are in southeast Queensland.”
The past two nights, The Darling hotel, with its rooftop Nineteen bar and restaurant, has hosted glitzy launches. They mark completion of $850m worth of upgrades to the Grand and The Darling build which includes a new sports bar linking the two.
The Bulletin understands the proposed construction timetable for the five new towers involves one completed every two years through to 2028.
It is also understood The Star is not seeking any change to its “gaming allowance” under its existing licensing agreement.
In a statement after the city council thumbs up yesterday, Mr Bekier said it was greatly appreciated.
“We now look forward to working with the State Government through the Attorney-General’s Department on necessary approvals,” he said. “Our commitment to driving additional substantial economic benefit for the region will be dependent on the market conditions and competitor landscape at the appropriate time.”