In Queensland, local politicians are considering expanding the states gambling market – but residents are not on board with these plans. Government officials have made plans to build a casino complex at the site of the former Parmalat factory, and South Brisbane locals are not pleased. According to the Courier Mail, communities from the West End and South Brisbane are working together to campaign against the new development.
The local government will be awarding three new casino licenses, and residents back this decision – but they want lawmakers to rule out the Parmalat site when it comes to potential areas to build the new gambling venues. Local residents feel that building a casino on the site would not contribute to the local community.
The Parmalat factory is located in an area that is close to schools and other social services, and it would seem out of place for a casino to be located nearby. Residents are also concerned that a casino development would take away from the natural beauty of South Brisbane. “It seems so incongruous to have a casino here,” resident Jennifer Rotili said in an interview with the Courier Mail. “It's just not what the community wants.
A really vital necessity for this area is public green space”. At the moment, we know that the local government is considering building a second casino in Brisbane – but lawmakers have yet to confirm any plans for the Parmalat site. It could be a potential site for a new casino development, but gaming officials have kept tight-lipped about any other possible locations for casinos in Queensland.
According to a spokesperson for the Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, the only casino licenses that are currently being considered are not going to be located in South Brisbane.