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Australia – ASF Consortia presents plans for $3bn Gold Coast casino
By Phil - 19 December 2016
Chinese-owned ASF Consortia has unveiled its latest concept plan to deliver a new world-class $3bn coastal icon and casino earmarked to become the largest tourism project on the Gold Coast in decades.
The group has been in discussion with Crown Resorts, who is expected to operate the casino. The timing of this latest announcement, which included artists’ impressions of the project, followed approvals from the Queensland government to allow Crown’s rival in the state, Star Entertainment to expand its existing Jupiter’s Casino.
ASF’s multi-billion dollar Integrated Resort Development will include a world-class casino, three branded five and six star hotels, signature restaurants, theatres, shows and entertainment, luxury and boutique retail precincts, serviced residences and meeting and conference facilities.
ASF Director Louis Chien says the project will create an estimated 10,000 jobs and attract a projected 1.5m additional tourists to the Gold Coast each year.
“This $3bn project will deliver a world-class waterfront destination that provides an immediate and ongoing economic boost and significant jobs for the Gold Coast, with benefits flowing across Queensland,” said Mr Chien. “Over 10,000 new jobs will be created during construction and operations, meaning thousands of jobs for the local community. With construction likely to occur after the Commonwealth Games, this will deliver ongoing buoyancy to the region, ensuring local jobs are retained. The project will also attract a projected 1.5 million additional tourists to the Gold Coast annually. This means growing the existing tourism market with an emphasis on new visitors to the region.
“More tourists translates to more business for existing tour operators, more visits to Gold Coast attractions and more flights needed to the Gold Coast,” he said.
At the same time as revealing its latest concept plan, ASF is calling for more certainty around the overall planning process for the area.
“ASF remains fully committed to achieving the best outcomes for the Gold Coast and Queensland. We’re keen for the State to provide overall planning clarity for the area and understand how the proposed Gold Coast Integrated Resort fits,” he said.
The Gold Coast Integrated Resort Development will be situated on a five-hectare waterfront site on the Southern Spit between Sea World and the Gold Coast Fisherman’s Co-operative.
“This site represents less than three per cent of The Spit and in its current form, is unused and inaccessible to the general public,” said Mr Chien.
“Our plans deliver a new waterfront precinct to be enjoyed by all by creating new and improved Broadwater leisure and entertainment spaces, a newly accessible water’s edge, a new boating destination and a vibrant space for outdoor performances and events,” he said.
With a cruise ship terminal no longer a requirement of the project, this will be achieved with no dredging in the Broadwater.
“The location of the project will be a catalyst to grow the Southport CBD. It will connect The Spit and Southport, whilst embracing the Broadwater and deliver significant business and employment opportunities,” said Mr Chien.
A traffic solution is provided for the project, with core infrastructure funded by ASF.
“We’ve come up with a traffic solution for the project, which is scalable and will deliver legacy infrastructure for the city. Traffic modelling has future proofed this solution,” said Mr Chien.
“We are committed to working as closely as possible with the Queensland Government, City of Gold Coast and the community to create this global waterfront destination,” said Mr Chien.
