Will ASF's $7.5b Integrated Resort and Cruise Ship Terminal Be Approved?

The ambitious infrastructure project could be weeks away from getting approval. 

ASF Consortium has now lodged its master and revised plan for the integrated resort and cruise ship terminal on the Gold Coast.

The consortium’s local project director, Tim Poole, said the revised plan would create more than 5000 jobs during construction, 15,000 permanent jobs once operational and inject $1 billion into the local economy each year.

There has been several environmentally friendly changes made to the plan, including the much-loved section of the Broadwater, known as ‘The Spit’, no longer happening.

 "The State Government, in response to the feedback and community council, said the northern end of The Spit and particularly Doug Jennings Park would no longer be developed," Mr Poole said.

"The Spit has been saved. We have accepted that now as a condition."
ASF Consortium engaged architecture and construction company

AECOM to finalise the revised plan.

AECOM principal Vaughan Davies said the changes resulted in a world class coastal oasis, shaped by sand and sea, with four distinct precincts – an eco-marine park, a five hectare southern Spit precinct, integrated resort and cruise terminal ‘Wave Break Island’, and high end getaway ‘Moon Island’.

The masterplan will span across 90 hectares, with 11 hotels with a total of 2885 hotel rooms, and 6750 residential homes.

It would have more than six hectares of retail floor space, including four nightclubs and more than 20 restaurants.

Mr Poole said some aspects of the proposal remained confidential, including the exact size of the gaming element, which was still being worked out, and would obviously include a gaming licence.

But a proposed casino would be managed by Global Gaming Asset Management and be part of the integrated resort.

"The concept of the integrated resort is restaurants, entertainment and more than 100 different attractions, which is what's needed to increase the international tourist market," Mr Poole said.

ASF Consortium director, Allan Fife, said the partnership with GGAM would elevate Queensland into the top 10 destinations worldwide for integrated resort developments.

"When you look at the resorts the GGAM team has been involved with, it brings to life a whole new level of experiences we could have on the Gold Coast. This has simply not been seen in Australia before," Mr Fife said.

If the project gains approval, it would commence delivering the nine stages, starting with the development of the cruise ship terminal in time for the Commonwealth Games. Other aspects will not be completed for another eight years.

Mr Poole said up to 170,000 extra passengers could arrive on the Gold Coast each year by 2026, through the cruise ship terminal and also Brisbane and Gold Coast airports, thanks to the integrated resort.