City casino plans to bring in the stars

BY EMMA KEMP

The high rollers will be coming to town ‘ well to Pyrmont that is ‘ if Star City Casino’s new development plans are anything to go by.
Sydney’s biggest gambling venue has released major concept plans to build a 13-storey, 5-star contemporary style hotel with 300 rooms in an attempt to attract an ‘international flavour’ of clientele that will complement their already well established domestic market.
The project will also involve changes to the layout of the casino to take full advantage of its harbourfront location, given that the original entrance to the casino via stairs on Pirrama Road has long been criticized for its failure to connect sufficiently with Pyrmont Bay.
Joining onto the side to the existing building, the development will incorporate more basement parking, extra function and gambling space, and increased entertainment facilities, all aimed at enlivening the existing façade.
Additional restaurants, fashion stores and a bakery and fruit store would be added to the mix as part of an underground arcade linking Pyrmont Bay Park to the intersection of Union and Pyrmont Streets.
But the estimated $300 million development has been met with alarm by other Pyrmont-based businesses, who are worried the large-scale construction will take its toll on their trade.
At a Pyrmont Chamber of Commerce meeting last week, local businesses voiced concern about how the building-phase would affect their ability to function, and the extent to which the new and very large hotel would dominate the area once it is built.
A Star City spokesman, Peter Grimshaw, said these new ‘complimentary shops’ will not saturate the area or pose a threat to existing retail outlets in Pyrmont ‘ particularly the growing village atmosphere of Harris Street.
‘We would not see ourselves as competing with the village stores being attracted to Harris Street,’ Mr Grimshaw said. ‘Rather, we want to create some outlets which will attract people to the area and assist all businesses.’
He said he hopes the additional overseas executive clientele will positively contribute to the mix of visitors to Star City, and bring more business in general to Pyrmont.
President of Pyrmont Progress Incorporated, Charles Perry, said he is not opposed to the Star City project, but does not want it to go ahead to the detriment of other businesses in the area, most of which are struggling.
‘There needs to be a balanced approach to the development of the Star City complex and the area around it,’ Mr Perry said.
‘What we don’t want is a mall type development that sucks up the local business as has been the case in all too many other major developments elsewhere.’
Mr Grimshaw played down the impact the construction could have on the area.
‘We are in the same situation as those businesses,’ he said. ‘We will still be running our complex during the construction.
‘So it is in our interests to ensure it remains easy for people to move around the construction area and that visitors can travel and park in Pyrmont.’
Mr Perry said that if the casino follows through with their aim to ‘fit well’ with the local area, a development with active street frontages that encourages more activity would help brighten up the area and make it safer for the local community.
He said it is crucial that an effective dialogue takes place between the planners of the Star City development and the City of Sydney to ensure there is a holistic approach to planning for the area.
But the City of Sydney, in a submission to the Department of Planning, has expressed their opposition to many aspects of the plan.
The City’s area planning manager, Sandra Fagan, highlighted the 66 metre height of development, saying it was excessive and not consistent with the area’s urban design. She said that it should be reduced to a maximum height of 28 metres so that it could blend in better with existing urban village areas.
‘Union Street, and Harris Street beyond, is an area of lower scale, fine-grained buildings, including the heritage listed civic open space at Union Square,’ the submission said.
Ms Fagan also raised concerns in the City’s submission about extra gaming facilities that would face Union Square, and labeled the proposed 550 extra car spaces as ‘grossly excessive’ and ‘unnecessary’.
‘ The City has already received complaints about traffic congestion in Pyrmont after hours and on weekends, especially where there are major events at Star City ‘ additional parking will exacerbate this,’ she said.
The Star City spokesman said more details of the proposed plans would be released next month when the development application has been submitted with the Department of Planning ‘ who will have the power to approve or reject the plans, not the City of Sydney.

Community briefing and consultation

Pyrmont Action Inc. will be hosting a presentation by Star City representatives for interesting community members, outlining the concept plans for the proposed Star City hotel. 

It will be held on Thursday, 17 July from 6.30pm ‘ 7.30pm at The Station, Cnr Jones and Bowman Streets, Pyrmont.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Elenius on 9571 9727 or eelenius@bigpond.net.au