James Packer has been lobbying Queensland Premier Campbell Newman over $1 billion casino in Brisbane The Treasury Casino would be supersized, but do the citizens of Brisbane really want an even bigger casino presence in their city and if so, where is the best place for it? JAMES Packer wants to build Brisbane's second casino and has been lobbying Premier Campbell Newman over the $1 billion-plus project. It is understood Mr Packer and his Crown executives have held several discussions with high-level government figures, including the Premier, over the plan. The proposed Crown Casino would be in opposition to the existing Conrad Treasury Casino, owned by Echo Entertainment. Echo has itself proposed that it build a large integrated casino resort and entertainment centre on George St, a few blocks from its current premises in Brisbane's central business district. Mr Packer's Crown group recently sold its 10 per cent stake in Echo for $264 million, enabling his group to pursue other investment opportunities in other states without any conflict of interest. A Crown spokesman said yesterday: "We have got out of Echo so we don't have a conflict there anymore. Crown will participate in the community and industry consultation process recently announced by the Queensland Government relating to the redevelopment of the Brisbane CBD. Crown is developing a global luxury resort brand and given that Brisbane is an important international destination, we look forward to being involved. Crown is also bidding to build a new casino in Sydney. The spokesman said the company was very keen on a Brisbane project regardless of the outcome of that bid. The Newman Government has appeared to favour the option of a single casino in a new position to anchor the development of a new entertainment hub on George St. Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney revealed earlier this month plans for a "project development phase" with a final decision on the casino to be made by September. Any development would include the Government's current headquarters at 100 George St as well as surrounding buildings. A Galaxy poll published in The Sunday Mail last week revealed most voters are opposed to a new Brisbane casino - whether it replaces or is in addition to the existing one. The Government must decide whether to permit Treasury to move from its current premises and retain the single Brisbane casino licence, allow a second casino on a new site or continue the status quo.