Parklands casino ‘no go’
But Broadwater could gain a GTH ferry terminal
CASINO consortiums say the Broadwater Parklands is a “nogo zone” for an integrated resort, aware a community protest can torpedo the $1.5 billion project.
A weekend report in the Bulletin said a global tourism hub investor who had met with the State Government believed the Parklands could come into play opposite Carey Park.
But several consortiums also in talks have poured cold water on the speculation which has fired up debate about a second casino on the Glitter Strip.
“I can absolutely guarantee you that we won’t be going into the Broadwater Parklands,” a proponent said. “It’s off limits.
“They (casino bidders) will never touch the Parklands. They know it will bring down the whole wrath of the community.”
The proponent said the only changes to the Parklands, if Southport’s Carey Park became a site, would be a ferry terminal.
“The ferry terminal would be in line with the Broadwater light rail station. It would be encroaching on the Broadwater side, not the Parklands.”
When the council revived the integrated residential resort process in late 2017, maps produced on Carey Park ruled out the Parklands.
Another casino source confirmed the Parklands had never come into play as a site.
The popular family venue has been built in three stages since 2008 at a cost of almost $70 million of taxpayer money and remains a Commonwealth Games legacy.
“I’ve been in discussions with the State Government for 12 months. It was made very clear the Registration of Interests was not about sites,” the casino source said.
“The Government would make a decision about sites at the end. Anyone who says there has, has been lying for political purposes.”
The casino source said it was important to understand the ROI and Expressions of Interests had been designed so proponents could show the amount of community support for a GTH.
“There is no community support for using the Broadwater Parklands,” the source said.
Southport MP Rob Molhoek, who put up signage for Save Carey Park information day on Saturday, has posted an image on his Facebook page which shows hotels from Carey Park to the Parklands.