Tate blasts protest ‘spooking’ residents
TOM Tate has blasted a thorn in the Gold Coast’s push for a global tourism hub and says the project is the “silver bullet” to the city’s entertainment industry.
The Mayor yesterday slammed the protest line being trotted out by former councillor Eddy Sarroff, saying he is “spooking” people, “only pops up every election cycle” and “should stick to the facts”.
Councillor Tate said an entertainment-based venue offering top-level artists would be a magnet for repeat visitors and the city would only support world-class proposals.
“Some people often say ‘we don’t need another casino’ and I say to them, ‘let’s test the market and see if the market is willing to invest millions of dollars into a global tourism hub’,” he said. “We will only support world-class proposals that are genuine global tourism hubs – meaning facilities which will accommodate major live music and events on the Coast.”
The multi-billion-dollar global tourism hub is expected to go before the State Cabinet within weeks. It will decide whether to test the market on the entertainment-based integrated resort.
Cr Tate scoffed at suggestions the hub would be driven on a poker machine bias.
He said entertainmentbased tourism was increasing and gaming had declined in Las Vegas’ 104 casinos.
According to Nevada gaming data, the amount or revenue from gaming had dropped by 30 per cent since 1990, while there had been a 71 per cent increase in the “other” category taking in entertainment and 26 per cent increase in food revenue.
“Along with The Star, this will give us a critical mass and create a magnet for people from southeast Asia as well as interstate, allowing us to be regional entertainment hub.
“I see the Gold Coast being packaged in by agents booking major artists to do a short residency in Las Vegas and then coming here for another few months – it will be so appealing to them.
“I understand there are 11 hypothetical locations but they have not been tested yet.
“It might be in a location nobody has even thought of and I congratulate the Premier for having the foresight to keep the casino licence on the table after cancelling the ASF project.”
On Mr Sarroff – who has criticised any move to sell public land, particularly at Carey Park in Southport, to build a tourism hub – Cr Tate said: “I cannot view this commentary by Eddy as being sincere concern because he only pops up every election cycle.
“Spooking people to get your name out there is disappointing.
“Stick to the facts and let the Gold Coast decide – and there will be public consultation as part of the market testing.”
Tourism Minister Kate Jones said new tourism infrastructure was “vital to bringing more visitors and creating jobs on the Gold Coast”.
“We’ll continue to work with council on projects that we know will grow the local tourism sector,” she said.
Destination Gold Coast chief executive Annaliese Battista said she looked forward to seeing an in-depth business case on the proposed development.
“The public and Gold Coast community has a strong interest and we need to have a conversation as a community,” she said.