The Shire of Broome in the north of Western Australia is considering a casino and has hired a consultant to look at the viability of a project in the remote area.
A team of advisers from Paxon Group will work to establish the social, economic and heritage opportunities, and risks, of a casino, local media has reported.
Shire CEO Kenn Donohoe said there should be a draft report by the end of the year.
"We've appointed that study now at a cost of about $29,000," Shire CEO Kenn Donohoe was cited as saying.
Donohoe said if a casino was found to be viable, it would bring economic benefits to the town.
"That could open up opportunities for international flights, opportunities for other export of products such as agriculture and aquaculture, both domestically and internationally, if the project was to be considered viable."
Australia has seen a flurry of investment activity in new casinos recently, with Crown Resorts granted a license for a six-star property in Sydney and the state government in Queensland seeking to boost tourism through three new properties. One in downtown Brisbane was awarded to consortium led by Echo Entertainment, while Hong Kong tycoon Tony Fung’s Aquis Group and ASF Consortium both plan major regional developments there.
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