Proposed Jupiters Master Plan offers boon for Queensland tourism, jobs

A proposed multi-billion dollar Master Plan for The Star Entertainment Group’s Jupiters property on the Gold Coast would further boost Queensland tourism and create thousands of new jobs, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.

The Premier said the Master Plan, which is being released for public consultation, includes up to five hotel and/or apartment buildings, a recreational deck, gardens, pools and spa, new entertainment facilities and improved connections to Broadbeach and Pacific Fair.

“People are visiting Queensland in record numbers.  To cater for increasing visitors, there is an estimated $11 billion in planned investment in accommodation and facilities, including more than 3000 extra hotel rooms,” the Premier said.

“I have just returned from Hong Kong and China.  Queensland and the Gold Coast are must-visit destinations for them.  Almost 400,000 Chinese tourists visited Queensland in 2015, which is 20% more visitors compared to 2014.”

“The attraction of Gold Coast’s beaches, the hinterland and broader south-east Queensland are important drawcards.”

“My Government is working to attract more international flights – and we have attracted flights into the Gold Coast from Hong Kong.”

“With the Commonwealth Games now less than two years away and stage two of Gold Coast Light Rail underway, projects like this will drive additional economic activity and jobs on the Gold Coast.”

“Since the January 2015 election, 16,800 additional jobs have been created on the Gold Coast.”

Ms Palaszczuk said the Master Plan proposal builds on Jupiters’ existing $345 million refurbishment and construction of a new six star all-suite hotel completed in time for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games,” the Premier said.

The Star Entertainment Group will run a community information program this month about its current application to include apartments at Jupiters, within a proposed new 700-room hotel and residential tower, which would take the investment in the redevelopment at Jupiters to up to $850 million.

“The launch of information about a proposed new tower, which could take Jupiters’ total construction workforce to 1000, and operational roles once complete to around 2300 employees,” the Premier said

“Stage one of the proposed redevelopment is undergoing formal approval process. The Star Entertainment Group is working closely with my Government.”

Tourism Minister Kate Jones said Jupiters’ master plan would help drive tourism growth on the Gold Coast.

“We know tourism has the potential to support thousands more jobs in Queensland and this Star Entertainment master plan proposes to improve accommodation and leisure offerings on the Gold Coast,” she said,

“More major drawcards on the Gold Coast for Australian and international tourists will keep them coming back again and again.”

The Star Entertainment Group, with its Hong Kong-based partners Far East Consortium and Chow Tai Fook Enterprises, will also deliver Queensland’s first integrated resort development at Queen’s Wharf Brisbane, a $3 billion project that will be operational by 2022.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said:

“I applaud the State Government for its support and know this masterplan development will deliver thousands of jobs not only through construction but in its operating phase.

“Since 2012, we have promoted our open-for-business agenda and encouraged investments such as what has been revealed today.

“This is a significant investment at Jupiters that will help strengthen the international reputation of the Gold Coast as a great place to invest, visit, work and live.”