The proposed expansion of Adelaide Casino, located in Adelaide, South Australia, has been approved by the state’s Development Assessment Commission. Work on the A$300-million project is expected to start by mid-2016.
South Australia’s main planning body approved the proposal on Thursday with certain conditions related to those parts of the plan that are concerned with establishments near the heritage-listed Adelaide’s Railway Station. The State Heritage Unit had formerly voiced concerns about the project’s scale and the possibility for it to impact negatively the railway station and the nearby Festival Centre.
The proposed A$300-million expansion includes the construction of an 11-story building with an 80-room hotel, numerous gaming options, restaurants, and other amenities. Adelaide Casino’s expansion is part of a master plan for the redevelopment of the city’s Riverbank Precinct.
Commenting on the latest approval, Nigel Morrison, Chief Executive Officer of gambling operator SkyCity, said that he was really happy that the project was given the green light as it would create much-needed jobs for residents of South Australia.
Adelaide Casino’s expansion would generate 500 construction jobs and additional 1,000 permanent ones, once the venue is fully operational. Mr. Morrison added that the gambling operator is committed to turning the casino into a world-class destination that would attract wealthy international visitors.
As mentioned above, construction is expected to commence sometime in the middle of 2016. The exact date, however, depends on the site lease’s finalization with the South Australian government. The project also needs to be coordinated with other developments in the city’s Riverbank Precinct.
Stephen Mullighan, Urban Development Minister, said that the expansion of the casino will bring the state a serious economic boost. According to him, the A$300-million project will further enhance the Riverbank Precinct and will revitalize the area. Minister Mullighan also noted that Adelaide Casino will turn into a “key drawcard in attracting tourists” to the precinct.
Although the expansion project has generally been welcomed, it has certain opponents, with Senator Nick Xenophon being among the staunchest ones. He has repeatedly pointed out that the proposed expansion will lead to more gambling addiction around South Australia as well as other related social ills. Sen. Xenophon further noted that once expanded, Adelaide Casino will “suck money out of small retail and hospitality businesses.”
