New casino could be built in central Brisbane

The Government plans to tear down the Executive Building at 100 George St.

Premier Campbell Newman says the Queensland Government will consider allowing a casino to be built in place of the Executive Building in Brisbane.

Mr Newman says the Government will demolish the Executive Building at 100 George Street and the neighbouring Public Works Building once a new office tower is built for public servants in William Street.

The Government wants to move public servants from 20 offices around Brisbane into the new building and rent some space out.

Mr Newman says the Government wants to renew that part of the city.

"We're going to move people out of, for example, the existing Executive Building and the existing Public Works Building and other buildings around the CBD," he said.

"We're then going to knock down the Executive Building and the Public Works Building. Anyone upset about that? OK, good.

"What we're going to do then is have a tender process for a new five-star hotel, a public open space - it could be a casino, it could be our answer to Crown.

"And so we revitalise that part of Brisbane as well."

Mr Newman was speaking to business leaders at the 2012 Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) conference.

The Government announced in May that it would revamp the precinct and proposed developments like shops and restaurants along the northern riverbank.

Source: ABC News, 19 September 2012