Casino shareholders and directors are very interesting in building gambling venues along the Gold Coast’s beaches, bringing a new entertainment opportunity to the area. However, Queensland Premier Campbell Newman is opposed to these proposals, stating that beach casinos would have a negative impact on local surf clubs. Gold Coast Ocean Terminal Project has plans to build a resort at Bilinga, a suburb on the Gold Coast beach.
It includes plans for a casino and a cruise ship terminal, and Premier Newman believes that the property would negatively affect surf clubs that are frequented by professionals and recreational surfers. However, Newman has clarified that his position only applies to public land. If developers want to build a casino resort on privately owned beach land, Newman states that it is within their rights to submit a proposal for the property.
"Some of the things I am being asked would actually impact negatively on surf clubs," he says. “There will be no cruise ship terminal on the southern part of the Gold Coast or indeed on any part of the Gold Coast that impacts on the beaches”. The Save Our Southern Beaches Alliance supports Newman’s decision to reject plans for a casino resort. On Sunday, January 19th, 2500 people protested the Gold Coast Ocean Terminal Project.
The event was originally planned to be the Big Paddle Out Event, but it was turned into a Beach-Out. Instead of surfing, participants formed the letters WSR (World Surfing Reserve) in the sand to express their opposition to the development.
“SOSBA together with SAVEOURSPIT group (opposed to the Cruise Ship Broadwater Marine Park) stand united against Gold Coast Mayor's plan for a Cruise Ship/Casino on public land at the Southport Spit which would also impact on South Straddie one of the World's best beach breaks on the Northern side of the Southport Seaway”, reads a statement from the group’s spokesperson, Andrew McKinnon.
About the Author
