The New Zealand-based company released its interim results today, which show a fall in revenue of 1.7 per cent or $77 million in its Adelaide operations.

In a statement, SkyCity said the “proposed expansion of Adelaide Casino remains under consideration by the Board”, but it has been revealed today that a range of issues are still under negotiation between the casino operator, the State Government and Festival Plaza developer Walker Corporation.

In January last year SkyCity received development approval for the expansion, which will include new gaming rooms, restaurants and an 11-storey luxury hotel.

At that time, the company said construction was expected to begin in mid-2016.

In May 2016, it said it was still committed to the project but there would be a 12-month delay due to the “complicated” nature of the project.

Today, the company insisted that “there has been no change in position on the Adelaide Casino expansion project”.

“Early works on the Riverbank Project have begun, as we stated in this morning’s release,” a spokesman told InDaily.

“The expansion must be a good deal for shareholders, however, and final sign-off by the board on a project worth $A300 million has always been contingent on the successful outcome of negotiations with the State Government on various planning approvals, and with the Walker Corporation over the lease of the carparks we need for the expansion. Discussions with these parties continue and we remain hopeful of a successful outcome.”

The spokesman said the company still needed a finalised development agreement, a car park lease from Walker Corporation (which is rebuilding the Festival Plaza car park), and an
“interface agreement with the Riverbank Expansion Project”.

SkyCity is also talking to the State Government about regulatory changes to its operations.

The revelation that the car park deal is still under negotiation comes almost two years after SkyCity announced it had secured a lease with Walker and was pleased with the deal.

It said at the time that the exclusive lease of 750 car parks from Walker had cleared the way for the Adelaide Casino expansion.

“With the announcement of this development and the key terms of the car park lease now confirmed, Skycity can now progress its plans to transform the Adelaide Casino into a world-class integrated entertainment complex,” said then SkyCity CEO Nigel Morrison.

A Government spokesperson told InDaily that it was working with SkyCity and other interested parties in the precinct.

“The State Government continues to work closely with SkyCity and all precinct partners to deliver the redevelopment of Festival Plaza,” the spokesperson said. “Early works have already commenced that include the grade separation of Festival Drive and Northern Promenade works, with further projects to get underway later this year.

“The redevelopment will transform one of the city’s most neglected public spaces in to a world-class entertainment precinct.

“As SkyCity outlined last year in their annual results, the Adelaide expansion is expected to commence in the second-half of 2017, with completion expected in early 2020.”