The Urban Developer
AdvertiseEventsWebinars
Urbanity
Awards
Sign In
Membership
Latest
Menu
Location
Sector
Category
Content
Type
Newsletters
Untitled design (8)
25 DAYS UNTIL OUR UNMISSABLE FLAGSHIP CONFERENCE 29-31 JULY, GOLD COAST
25 DAYS UNTIL OUR FLAGSHIP CONFERENCE 29-31 JULY, GOLD COAST
SECURE YOUR SPOTDETAILS
TheUrbanDeveloper
Follow
About
About Us
Membership
Awards
Events
Webinars
Listings
Resources
Terms & Conditions
Commenting Policy
Privacy Policy
Republishing Guidelines
Editorial Charter
Complaints Handling Policy
Contact
General Enquiries
Advertise
Contribution Enquiry
Project Submission
Membership Enquiry
Newsletter
Stay up to date and with the latest news, projects, deals and features.
Subscribe
ADVERTISEMENT
SHARE
1
print
Print
OtherDinah Lewis BoucherFri 22 Nov 19

Queensland Enters Negotiations with Star on Gold Coast Deal

ae815d2d-597f-4e7d-811c-9bce919f2768

The Queensland government has announced it will begin direct negotiations with The Star Entertainment Group, the Gold Coast's sole casino operator, to fast-track new tourism infrastructure on the Gold Coast.

The announcement made by tourism minister Kate Jones on Thursday means The Star, and its multi-billion-dollar masterplan, has been given the opportunity to outshine other casino bids on the glitter strip, in exchange for licence exclusivity.

The announcement comes after the state government asked for expressions of interest for a developer to build the area's second casino as part of plans for a global tourism hub, in March this year.

But ASX-listed Star has argued that the Gold Coast market wasn't big enough for two casinos.

Last month The Star offered to pay for the upgrade of the Gold Coast Convention centre and upgrades to its Sheraton Mirage resort, on the condition it operates as the Gold Coast's sole casino operator.

It also has a $2 billion masterplan for five more towers at its major development at Broadbeach.

▲ Monopoly? The Star said it will expand the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition centre and revamp its Sheraton Mirage at The Spit (pictured) in exchange for exclusivity as the city’s only casino operator.


Jones announced that the Palaszczuk government would start the direct negotiations with the gaming giant to “fast track new tourism infrastructure on the Gold Coast”.

The Star has been issued terms for negotiation with the state government to contractualise the delivery of its Gold Coast master plan and new tourism infrastructure.

The announcement coincides with the release of a community consultation report which calls for new hotels, attractions and convention space to attract more tourists to the region.

The 65-page report follows consultation undertaken by the Gold Coast Tourism Advisory Panel, led by panel chair and businessman John Witheriff.

The panel found the majority of locals were supportive of, or had no concerns about a new casino provided it was delivered as part of an integrated resort.

The report also found there was strong feedback from Gold Coast locals not supportive of a new casino being built on public land.

“Locals expect that another operator would have to acquire their own site.”

Witheriff said the Gold Coast needed new tourism investment to ensure the city kept up with demand.

“Our consultation shows very clearly - new infrastructure is crucial when it comes to growing the Gold Coast tourism industry in the future,” Witheriff said.

“If the Gold Coast is to compete with the likes of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and even Cairns in years to come, private sector investment in tourism infrastructure like this will be very important.”

On Wednesday, an Independent Planning commission refused the Star’s plans for the Ritz-Carlton hotel and apartment tower development to go ahead in Sydney's Pyrmont.

InfrastructureHotelAustraliaGold CoastPlanningPlanningSector
AUTHOR
Dinah Lewis Boucher
More articles by this author
ADVERTISEMENT
TOP STORIES
Exclusive

Carparking Correlation: How Parking Fees Provide Office Sector Health Check

Taryn Paris
6 Min
Molti chief Ben Teague out front of 32 Mercer Road Aramadale (rendering)
Exclusive

Buy to the Sound of Cannons: Molti’s Counter-Cyclical Move to Melbourne

Leon Della Bosca
5 Min
Exclusive

Tapping the Bunnings ‘Halo Effect’

Taryn Paris
5 Min
Exclusive

‘Construction Not a Scale Game’: Hutchinson

Phil Bartsch
9 Min
Nation's build-to-rent project Charlie Parker in Sydney's Parramatta where more projects are being located and built outside the CBD.
Exclusive

Foreign Capital Still Dominates BtR but Things are Changing

Marisa Wikramanayake
7 Min
View All >
Bunnings Clyde North
Markets

Bunnings Sold On as Charter Hall Doubles Down on Retail

Leon Della Bosca
The construction site which will one day become Newcastle Tallest Tower by Urban Property Group
Residential

Urban Property Group Reveals Newcastle Tallest Tower Plan

Renee McKeown
Exclusive

Carparking Correlation: How Parking Fees Provide Office Sector Health Check

Taryn Paris
The city with Australia’s highest parking rates, and cheapest public transport fares, is also proving our best performin…
LATEST
Bunnings Clyde North
Markets

Bunnings Sold On as Charter Hall Doubles Down on Retail

Leon Della Bosca
2 Min
The construction site which will one day become Newcastle Tallest Tower by Urban Property Group
Residential

Urban Property Group Reveals Newcastle Tallest Tower Plan

Renee McKeown
3 Min
Exclusive

Carparking Correlation: How Parking Fees Provide Office Sector Health Check

Taryn Paris
6 Min
the four concept towers approved for sydney metro's parramatta precinct
Development

Rush of Approvals Sends Parramatta Skywards

Renee McKeown
2 Min
View All >
ADVERTISEMENT
Article originally posted at: https://theurbandeveloper.com/articles/queensland-enters-negotiations-with-star-on-gold-coast-deal