The Queensland Government today announced it has terminated the proposed ASF development on the Gold Coast Spit and will move forward with a community-led master plan.
The $3 billion integrated resort development was planned for the southern end of the Spit and would have included five hotels, waterfront piazza, theatres, retail precincts and entertainment.
According to ASF Consortium, the integrated resort would have created 4,100 construction-based jobs and 9,100 operational jobs, injecting around $710 million per annum into the local Gold Coast economy and attracting 2.1 million additional visitor nights to the region.
Despite the development only occupying 3% of land at the Spit, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the decision was based on ensuring the best long term solution for the Gold Coast.
“Like many Queenslanders, I have enjoyed visiting the Spit for decades,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“We need to ensure that character is preserved for future generations.
“The Spit offers great opportunities for job creation through tourism, entertainment and recreation.
“What the Spit really needs now is a master plan to revitalise it and increase its benefit to the Gold Coast as a community asset.”
“To be clear, this is not a decision that rules out a future Integrated Resort Development on the Gold Coast.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Jackie Trad said the master plan process would ensure the best outcomes for the community.
“The masterplan that we’re committing to deliver today ensures a future for the Spit which is in accordance with Gold Coast Council’s planning scheme, including the three-storey height limit,” Ms Trad said.
“It helps get the balance right between protecting environmental and community values and allowing appropriate commercial development.”
It is understood that a new casino licence would remain for the Gold Coast, however it would not be built on the Spit.
It is expected the master plan will take 18 months to complete. It will be undertaken in collaboration with Gold Coast City Council and the Gold Coast Waterways Authority.
Hopefully the Master Plan will include a New Super-Mega Yacht Marina with a Marine Events Center. We are Very Interested in Hosting Major International Yachting Events On the Gold Coast. This New Deep and Large Marina Development would be at The Northern End of the Spit. More Low Rise 5 Star Hotels with Retail on the Spit would Also be Great.
No problem with this decision at all. Given the accessibility of the Spit, it seems ridiculous to build large developments there.
I’m also wondering why a community masterplan wasn’t undertaken in the first place.
Absolutely umbelievable, after all this time and expense, the Premier only now defers to Council’s Scheme Plan for a height limit of 3 storeys. Ssme Scheme Plan for Chevron Island where Council has apprived 11 storey high development. As for traffic problems, this has been a problem four over 5 years and no action by Council our State Government to try and remedy. But State Government approves Priority Development Precinct over land opposite the Spit. Growth factors, changes in development, advancement in business modelling all create a force of change that we need to embrace. The Spit was changed when the entrance used to be where the Yacht Club now resides, for the better, proving change can be in our best interest, we just need to be able to bypass Local and State bodies add they are pathetically inept in all areas.
End of Anastasia era, please call for early election and LNP sorted out all problems!! Thanks for nothing