Sensational-Adelaide.com

Matt wrote:They're re-doing the doors as part of the footbridge development... may be that?

Phantom wrote:The whole getting from the Adelaide Oval to the Casino doesn't exactly sound wheelchair-access friendly...
I mean, I'm sure they've got a plan to get around this, I just haven't really come across their answer to this. Adelaide is renowned for being one of the best cities in the world for wheelchair accessibility.

pushbutton wrote:Well it has to be good at something I suppose!

arki wrote:The more I think about this project the less optimistic I become. I seriously don't believe that anything will happen any time soon as Skycity seem too interested in playing games with the government. At the end of the day they already have a monopoly on the Adelaide market, the conditions are ripe for expansion in the surrounding area of the casino and the government has been very inclusive of the casino in their masterplans for the river.

Maybe Weatherill should look at approaching Packer with the offer of a second casino license should they be happy to invest a few hundred million into the riverbank precinct. At least Crown seem to be doers rather than gonnas. At the very least it might light a fire under SkyCity's bum.

New Torrens Riverbank development plans allow bigger casino, new hotel
by: DANIEL WILLS STATE POLITICAL EDITOR From: The Advertiser July 17, 2013 3:51PM

NEW development guidelines have been announced for Adelaide's Riverbank precinct to allow cafes, an expanded casino and new hotel and commercial buildings.
Deputy Premier John Rau announced the reform today, which the State Government forecasts will unlock hundreds of millions of dollars in private investment.

It comes as the Government considers a submission from developer Lang Walker to upgrade the Festival Plaza area , understood to include a new office tower and underground carpark.

Mr Rau said a new building about the size of the Intercontinental Hotel could be permitted in Festival Plaza behind Parliament House.

However, it may not match artist's impressions.

The development plan amendment will be released for public consultation until September.

The area covered includes the southern side of the Riverbank between the new Royal Adelaide Hospital and health precinct across to King William Rd.

It would allow for riverside cafes and restaurants, a casino expansion and Festival Plaza upgrade in addition to current Government work on Adelaide Oval and Adelaide Convention Centre.

Mr Rau said new development applications would be assessed against the updated planning rules and denied the Government was changing the playing field to suit specific developers.

"It's my job as Planning Minister to enable development that is appropriate in this place to occur. At the moment, the present plans to not enable a number of the developments that we think would be appropriate to occur," he said.

"The proposal that we are putting out in this DPA is not a proposal that has been given to us by anybody in particular. It is a proposal that we have generated.

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Tom Koutsantonis said the new planning rules were "the final piece of the puzzle that is going to unlock private investment along the Riverbank".

"Adelaide needs a cultural precinct. Adelaide needs a centre where we can come together as a community for special events," he said. "That plaza is an iconic piece of real estate. It's ideal for a Federation Square-type development."

Mr Koutsantonis said mooted developments in the precinct could create more than 1000 jobs.

He said the Government was not considering being a tenant in the planned new building.

"If a development on such an iconic, pristine and very important site requires government tenancy, then it is never going to work," Mr Koutsantonis said.

Opposition Leader Steven Marshall said the Government should not "do deals behind closed doors" and had failed to deliver on earlier promises to revitalise the Plaza.

He said the Liberals had placed the topic of Riverbank revitalisation on the agenda in 2008, under former leader Martin Hamilton-Smith, with plans that were dismissed by Labor.

"The Government has been sitting on their hands for an extended period of time and that is why we don't have the vibrancy that we need here in South Australia," Mr Marshall said.

"To add insult to injury of course, the Government plans ... to implement a new carpark tax."

SKYCITY wrote:The South Australian Parliament has passed legislation yesterday to enable SkyCity Entertainment Group's A$300 million-plus expansion of its Adelaide operations.

Nigel Morrison, Auckland-based SkyCity chief executive, welcomed the move.

"This enabling legislation will allow SkyCity to conclude its agreement with the South Australian Government regarding the future regulatory, taxation and exclusivity framework facilitating the transformation of SkyCity's Adelaide Casino into a truly world-class integrated entertainment complex," he said.

The Statute Amendment (Gambling Reform) Act 2013 was passed to amend the Casino Act 1997. That provides the legislative changes necessary for SkyCity and the South Australian Government to execute a new Approved Licensing Agreement and Casino Duty Agreement on the terms previously agreed and announced on December 19.

The key terms included:

- A 20-year extension to the South Australian casino exclusivity for Adelaide Casino to 2035;

- Introduction of cashless gaming and "Ticket-in Ticket-out" gaming machine system;

- Lower gaming tax rates for VIP gaming;

- An increase in the number of gaming machines to 1500;

- An increase in the number of gaming tables to 200, where 15 tables may be substituted for 300 automated table game terminals.

SkyCity will invest over A$300 million to transform the Adelaide Casino and create the city's first 6-star boutique hotel.

It will also build celebrity and signature restaurants, VIP gaming experiences with Horizon international suites with adjoining private gaming salons.

The expansion is in Adelaide's new entertainment precinct on the banks of the River Torrens.

"Integrated entertainment complexes, with a comprehensive range of offerings including luxurious VIP facilities with outstanding dining experiences are vital to attracting high end Asian, particularly Chinese tourists. Our development will help South Australia attract a greater share of this lucrative and growing market. With Adelaide's outstanding wineries and leading international golf courses we are very confident that we will be able to package one of the best VIP experiences available in Australia," Morrison said.

"SkyCity's investment will create much-needed jobs and economic growth for South Australia and complement the redeveloped Adelaide Oval and the new and expanded Adelaide Convention Centre.

"We are pleased that the legislation has now been passed and that the casino reforms facilitating the redevelopment of the Adelaide Casino were strongly supported by both sides of Parliament. We now look forward to promptly finalising the ALA and CDA agreements with the Government and commencing this exciting redevelopment," he said.