The Chinese owned ASF Consortia recently revealed artist renderings of its proposed $3 billion integrated casino resort that will be developed on the Southport Split in Queensland, Australia. The integrated casino resort will comprise of 3 luxury hotels, a world class casino, theatres, signature restaurants, conference and meeting rooms, luxury retail stores and high end serviced apartments.

The Gold Coast Integrated Resort Development is a major project for the state of Queensland as it is expected to create around 10,000 employment opportunities and bring in additional 1 million tourists to the state. The integrated resort will be developed on a 5 hectare waterfront site located between the Gold Coast Fisherman’s Co-operative and Sea World.

The $3 billion integrated resort is also expected to provide the state economy with a massive boost once all facilities are fully operational. ASF will enlist the services of Crown Resorts to run operations at the casino once it is opened to the public. The integrated casino resort still does not have the approval of the Queensland cabinet and there are a number of groups who are opposed to the development of the integrated resort.

Ian Walker, Shadow Planning Minister is not happy that the government had gifted prime waterfront property and taxpayer owned land to ASF and did not bother to organize a competitive process. Walker criticized the lack of a master plan and stated that a number of important issues such as traffic congestion, density and overdevelopment had not been properly addressed.

In a statement, Louis Chien, ASF Director said “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. 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.”

Chien went on to say that ASF was committed to working with City of Gold Coast, Queensland Government and the local community to turn the Spit into a global waterfront destination. He also addressed the concerns over traffic congestion and stated that ASF had come up with a solution by leveraging traffic modeling that will provide legacy infrastructure that is scalable.

According to Chien, the current site for the integrated resort represented less than 3 percent of the Spit which is currently inaccessible to the public and not being put to use. ASF plans to develop the location by adding multiple entertainment facilities which include a boating destination, a new water edge that is accessible to the public and a space for outdoor events and performances.