The fundamentals remain in place for Brisbane to become one of the world’s most sought-after tourism destinations, according to The Star Entertainment Group’s CEO Matt Bekier.
On a visit to the city for the first time in several months following the removal of border restrictions, Mr Bekier made a site tour today of the $3.6 billion Queen’s Wharf project.
The Star Entertainment Group is lead partner in Destination Brisbane Consortium, the joint venture delivering the transformational development which will create around 2000 jobs at peak construction and provide 8000 jobs once fully operational.
“It’s incredible to see first-hand the progress made during what has been an incredibly difficult 2020,” Mr Bekier said.
“We remain on target to open in late 2022 and remain fully committed to delivering what will be the best integrated resort in Australia.
“While domestic tourism will be the focus in the immediate future for Australian operators, we will emerge from the COVID crisis and the international borders will reopen.
“This is the only integrated resort development under construction in the world. It will be the best and freshest product on the market in two years’ time.
“Four world-class hotels, 50 restaurants, cafes and bars, 12 football fields of public space, including the reinvigoration of riverfront areas, and up to 2000 residential apartments.
“The fundamentals are there. We have every confidence in Queensland and in the tourism sector. We’re excited to be investing billions of dollars, together with our partners, in South East Queensland.”
At Queen’s Wharf, the entry to the new The Star Grand Hotel and podiums levels are taking shape. From South Bank and the expressway, the form for the Riverline Terrace is visible, where future diners will enjoy views across the river and some of the finest produce in Queensland.
Work continues to ramp up with more than 500 workers on-site, increasing to around 2,000 late next year when trades are required to fit-out the hotels in the integrated resort as well as the greatly anticipated retail areas across the new build and heritage buildings.
Destination Brisbane Consortium Project Director Simon Crooks says the development continues to set benchmarks and milestones with more than 200 tonnes of steel arriving on-site each week to construct the podium.
The podium is where much of the fun will take place,” he said. “Free and accessible 24/7, the podium levels including the new world-class gaming areas, replacing the Treasury Casino, around 5,000m2 of new and exciting retail, restaurants, bars and of course the green public space atop the podium.
“The 4,000 tonnes of structural steel required to build the podium, which helps speed up construction and provides a stronger product, is Australian steel fabricated in Beenleigh. All the precast concrete Multiplex has been using to build the five levels of basements and podium level is from Toowoomba.
“The Neville Bonner Bridge piling has been completed at South Bank and mid-river after thorough engagement with near businesses and maritime services. Our contractor Fitzgerald have done a great job and will set about assembling the bridge from first quarter 2021.”
