The acting general manager of the Adelaide Casino, Aaron Morrison, has quit.

The casino’s owners, SkyCity, told the ASX this morning that Morrison would finish up at the end of this year with a new GM expected to begin in early 2016.

The change in leadership comes at a crucial time for the Adelaide Casino – and for the Riverbank precinct.

Morrison, who is on the board of the Committee for Adelaide, has been a key player in negotiations with the State Government over the casino’s long-awaited $350 million redevelopment.

He relocated to Adelaide in 2013 specifically to oversee the Adelaide project.

Morrison would not comment about his resignation when contacted by InDaily.

However, SkyCity chief executive Nigel Morrison said Aaron Morrison, who had been with the company for six years, had decided to return to his Melbourne home town for family reasons.

“Aaron has done an outstanding job in leading the capital improvements of the existing Adelaide Casino and I would like to thank him for all that he has done for the company,’’ Nigel Morrison said.

“Aaron leaves SKYCITY with my best wishes as well as those of the board and his senior colleagues. We all wish him and his family every future success and happiness.’’

Nigel Morrison said he would play a “hands-on role” in Adelaide in the interim until a new GM was appointed.

Deputy Premier John Rau told InDaily he did not believe Aaron Morrison’s departure would affect negotiations between the Government and the casino over the future of the precinct.

“I wish Mr Morrison well in his future endeavours,” he said.

“Mr Morrison’s departure will not delay or complicate ongoing negotiations with the casino regarding the plaza development.”

In August, SkyCity revealed uncertainty about its plans for the casino project.

“SkyCity continues to review the concept design and development costs to ensure the expansion project best meets the future requirements of the South Australian market and is value-enhancing for shareholders,” SkyCity said in its results overview at the time.

“However, timing to commence the expansion works is uncertain and needs to be coordinated with the South Australian Government’s and Walker Corporation’s plans for the broader development of the Riverbank precinct.”

The announcement prompted Rau to call on SkyCity to make a quick decision on the future of the Adelaide Casino, warning that the Government would need to consider other options should the redevelopment not go ahead.

“I can’t emphasise enough that it would be in everybody’s interests including theirs if they were to make a decision one way or the other as soon as possible,” he told ABC radio in August.

In March, developer Walker Corporation reached a deal with the State Government for a $600 million redevelopment of the Festival Centra Plaza, including rebuilding the car park and the constructing of an office tower between Parliament House and the casino.

A key part of the deal was an agreement to lease 750 car parks to the casino.

SkyCity has long spruiked plans for a $350 million overhaul of the Adelaide Casino, including a six-star boutique hotel on the site.

After the Government’s announcement of the Walker deal in March, SkyCity appeared bullish about finalising the plans, which is why the August language raised eyebrows.