READERS DISCUSS: What are these GKI jobs supposed to be?

A LOCAL financial and business consultant has questioned claims that Tower Holdings' Great Keppel Island revitalisation would generate 1500 jobs, saying a more accurate figure would be in the range of 1200.

George Meacham is principal of consultancy service Recountancy and lives and works on the Capricorn Coast.

Here are what readers said online:

Tracey Sorensen: Whether it is 1,500 or 1,200 jobs - it is still a lot of jobs being created that this region currently does not have. It's apprenticeships, traineeships for our young people not only in the tourist industry but in all areas that will benefit from the economic boost. Existing businesses will have the confidence to re-build their staff numbers and new businesses will start up to fill the growing market opportunities. Predicting exactly how many indirect 'flow on' jobs it will create will always be difficult.

Bee Kay: After GKI is redeveloped, boutique gaming licence or not, what exactly are these 1200 or 1500 jobs going to be? There is a limit for how many burger flippers, bar staff, ferry people, housekeepers and lawnmowers that will be required. Even if there was a casino it wouldn't need very many people to run it - manager, some dealers, some bar/kitchen staff, a few security people and some cleaners. After construction, I can't understand where these numbers come from. Even WITH construction factored in it seems an unlikely amount.

Toni Ashton: How does he know what the knock on effect from the increased tourism will be. Many businesses will benefit from this development. What I would like to know is why do they need the casino? Why can't they look at something else to like a boutique golf course, a health spa, etc. Get the resort built while your still fighting to get the license.

David Couper: I support the principle of the redevelopment of GKI, but can Tower Holdings guarantee that they won't immediately onsell the development and BGI (if granted) to foreign (eg Chinese or other Asian) gambling interests. Surely they would have a stronger lever or more influence over the government if the redevelopment was actually under way?

Kieran Powell: Still not going to vote LNP because of one gaming license on an island off Yeppoon.