Echo Entertainment will move its headquarters to Brisbane, Australia, if its casino bid is successful, with the company saying this would allow it to be “closer to the action.”
Echo’s Destination Brisbane Consortium and James Packer’s Crown/Greenland are locked in battle over Queens Wharf, each hoping the state government will give its integrated casino resort plan the nod.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she had raised some “issues” about the project that she wanted investigated. “My government is committed to seeing the redevelopment of that site,” she said. “However, I do have some issues that I’ve raised with the department and I want them to investigate those issues first before I make further comment.”
While she went on to acknowledge that the redevelopment of Queens Wharf would create “thousands” of jobs and new hotel accommodation, she refused to detail her concerns.
Her comments drew criticism from business groups who warned it had the potential to erode business confidence. Echo Entertainment CEO Matt Bekier said the company remained committed to bringing its headquarters to Brisbane from Sydney if it won the casino battle.
