$300 million Adelaide Casino expansion gets approval

SkyCity has been given the green light for its $300 million proposed Adelaide Casino redevelopment on the city’s North Terrace, including an 80-room luxury hotel overlooking the River Torrens.

South Australia’s Development Assessment Commission (DAC) resolved that the major redevelopment could go ahead, despite concerns it would harm the heritage value of adjacent Adelaide Railway Station.

SkyCity Chief Executive Nigel Morrison said the upgrade would stimulate growth and create jobs and leave the railway station “intact”.

However, as part of the approval, the South Australian Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure will require a heritage architect to conduct a detailed photographic study of the heritage elements that will be demolished to make way for the expansion.

Construction is expected to begin mid-year.

Morrison added “the SkyCity Adelaide expansion will be a positive addition to the Festival Plaza re-development project that will bring both short-term and long-term employment to many South Australians across several industries.”

Morrison said the expanded precinct would be “a world-class, integrated entertainment destination in Adelaide, attracting both international and domestic visitors”.

“This new offering will help South Australia attract a bigger share of high-value international visitors,” he said.

South Australian Housing and Urban Development Minister Stephen Mullighan added “the approval of this world-class development marks another milestone in the revitalisation of our Riverbank Precinct, which already boasts the iconic Adelaide Oval, Riverbank Footbridge and Convention Centre West Building.

“The casino expansion will further enhance this space, together with the second stage of the Convention Centre redevelopment, which is well underway, and the revitalisation of the Adelaide Festival Plaza – with designs currently out for consultation.”

A condition of the approval for redevelopment requires SkyCity to produce details of “the proposed podium and entry link” before final Development Approval is granted.

According to the minutes of the DAC meeting, “the limited level of detailed design resolution at this planning application phase of the podium, and its materiality, means that several aspects of the design response important to the setting of the heritage place are yet to be resolved”.

Construction is expected to begin mid-year.

For more information go to www.riverbank.sa.gov.au/adelaide-casino-expansion-approved/

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