QUEENSLAND Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Jeff Seeney, last week announced he has decided to call-in the application for the $1 billion Jewel resort development at Surfers Paradise.

Mr Seeney said that before making his decision, he had sought comment from those who had been actively involved in the development application and took their views into account before arriving at the decision to call-in the application.

"The application for this development was previously approved by the Gold Coast City Council but was put in doubt when it was appealed by a number of objectors," the Minister said.

"I formed the view that this development is important to the future economic well-being of the state and especially the Gold Coast and the application needs to be dealt with as quickly as possible."

Under Queensland's Sustainable Planning Act 2009, the Minister may call-in an application if the development involves a state interest. The Minister has until early August to make a determination.

"There is a billion dollar investment at stake here and more than 3,000 jobs riding on the outcome – the jobs of the 2,500 construction workers and the 670 hospitality staff and other workers, who will build, operate and occupy this development," Mr Seeney said.

"If we are to see a recovery in the tourism and construction sectors – two of the government's critical four pillars of growth – and a return to healthy levels of investment and activity, we need to ensure applications such as this do not languish or get bogged down in protracted legal proceedings."

The proposed development comprises 3 towers and includes hotel suites, apartments and residences.