Sydney’s Star casino hotel hopes reignited

The Sydney casino’s plans were rejected last November but it has a new opportunity as NSW seeks to revamp suburbs.

Australia.- The Star casino in Sydney has seen hopes for its plans to build a 51-storey hotel revitalised after the New South Wales (NSW) government revealed draft plans to revamp the suburbs.

The Pyrmont Peninsula Place Strategy and Economic Development Strategy is a 20-year plan to develop the area with public places, industry areas, a train and subway station, to create about 23,000 jobs.

The plan allows construction of buildings of up to 180 metres, revitalsiing the Star’s wish to invest AU$530 million (US$378 million) in a new 51-storey Ritz-Carlton 51, which was rejected by city authorities in November.

Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes warned against rumours of The Star getting its building approved, saying that the operator’s initial plans included heights quite different from those allowed in the new strategy.

The 237-metre tower proposed by the casino was rejected last November by the Independent Planning Commission as being “overly obtrusive”.

Locals have voiced objections to the hotel plan, demanding the project involve more schools and access to affordable housing.

Sydney Mayor Clover Moore appears to agree. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, he said: “future development in the precinct should prioritise jobs and industries of the future, not gambling.”