Star Gold Coast project reaches key milestone

The first new tower at The Star Gold Coast has reached its peak.

Hotel Management reports that the official ‘topping out’ point has been reached at the first of two new towers being developed at the site on Broadbeach Island, with the building reaching its crescendo at 53 storeys.

The A$400 million tower from Hutchinson Builders now stands at 178 metres and will be home to the Australian arrival of The Dorsett Gold Coast, which will feature 316 guest rooms.

A further 423 apartments in one- and two-bedroom configurations will also be operated under The Star Residences.

A six-level podium will be home to The Dorsett’s reception and lobby areas, a lobby for The Star Residences and a variety of dining and retail offerings along with a boardwalk which will connect the tower to The Star Grand in the site’s main building next door.

The Dorsett will fall under the general management of Michael Foster, who was named in the role in early September.

The tower is a joint project by The Star Entertainment Group and its consortium partners, Chow Tai Fook Enterprises and Far East Consortium and also part of an A$2 billion master plan for the site.

Elsewhere on the site, construction continues on a fourth tower which when completed will stand at 63 storeys in height.

Apartment sales on both towers are continuing to perform strongly.

The Star said 92 per cent of apartments are sold in The Star Residences and 80 per cent gone in the second new development, which is yet to be branded.

The Star Gold Coast chief operating officer Jess Mellor said it was a thrill for vertical construction to have reached the top after nearly three years of building.

“It’s 53 storeys of proof of our commitment and contribution to the tourism resilience of the Gold Coast,” Mellor said.

“We are proud to have been able to provide 1,500 jobs during construction as well as hundreds of supply chain opportunities for businesses, supporting economic stimulus in the city during such challenging times.”

Destination Gold Coast Consortium project director Jaime Cali, said it had been a rewarding experience to lead the project’s development on behalf of the joint venture partners.

“Three years ago, when we started construction there was no indication a global pandemic was around the corner, so to be able to reach this milestone on time and on budget is thanks to all the hard-working people involved,” Cali said.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the first guests of the hotel check in and the new owners of the residences move in.”

Following internal fit out, The Dorsett Gold Coast and The Star Residences tower remain on track to open in 2022.

Star Entertainment makes changes to employee policies

Australia’s second largest casino operator has made changes to its parental leave policies in a bid to be more employee focused.

Star employees will have improved workplace flexibility thanks to the new parental leave policy, which will ensure a family friendly, inclusive and diverse workplace.

Effective immediately, the new policy will increase paid parental leave from 10 weeks to 16 weeks for principal carers plus four weeks for secondary carers.

There will be superannuation paid on all company paid parental leave, plus an extra two weeks’ worth of superannuation, totalling 18 weeks, and the removal of waiting periods on continuous service eligibility for all permanent staff.

Paid parental leave can also now be taken up to two years after the birth or adoption of a child.

Star Entertainment chief executive and managing director Matt Bekier said the organisation understood that the family dynamics are different for each of its team members.

“We have worked hard to ensure all parents are supported and have the required flexibility as they welcome new family members.

“Our parental leave policy reflects the needs of our workforce and ensures that team members have the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally throughout their time with The Star.”

The company said that the changes were made in collaboration with Women at The Star, a staff-led working group that aims to promote gender equality across all aspects of the business by championing change and advocating opportunities for all individuals.

“Inclusive policies assist organisations to attract and retain talented employees,” Women in Gaming and Hospitality Australasia chief executive officer Helen Galloway said.

“The Star should be congratulated on meaningful policy change that addresses equality in the workplace.”