Crown tower in Barangaroo won’t be relocated

Crown Resorts told planning authorities the development continues as planned because  gaming legislation guarantees the site.

Australia.- Crown Resorts has told planning authorities that the the 275 metre-tall casino and apartment tower shall not be relocated from the waterfront site as gaming legislation has guaranteed the current site.

The City of Sydney, the Australian Institute of Architects and two former government architects sent submissions urging the Planning Assessment Commission, the final arbiter on the massive project, to relocate the tower toward Hickson Road, so a waterfront parkland can be created in its place. According to the submitters, the project’s site is public land and that the public interest is being compromised by the casino location which leaves just a 20 metre public thoroughfare around its base.

However, Crown has told the PAC it is not open to them to change the site, because it was legislated for in the Casino Control Act, which was amended in 2013 to establish the second restricted gaming license, awarded to Crown without tender. This legislation comprises a map of the site, as casino licenses must be defined geographically. Crown argues that since the site was approved by parliament it cannot be changed. If this is the case, then the PAC has very narrow scope to alter the development plans. It could reduce its height and bulk, but it cannot move it.