Star City's $475 million facelift with largest outdoor gaming area, by Justin Vallejo - The Daily Telegraph - 24th September 2008

Sydney's famous skyline will undergo a major facelift as part of a $475 million upgrade to Star City.

But hidden among the glitz and glamour of the new-look casino are plans for the largest outdoor gaming area in NSW.

Once ridiculed as the "Pyrmont Workers Club", the aging casino will undergo a complete overhaul - with these artists impressions revealing the first look at the dramatic changes.

The expansions plans of "Project Star", going on exhibition today , reveal a giant reshaping of the casino to face towards the harbour and Sydney's city views.

A new 309 room hotel on vacant land next to the casino will be the first major five star hotel build in the CBD since the Olympic Games.

Tabcorp's Chief Executive of Casinos Walter Bugno said Star City was now more than 10 years old and was in need an overhaul.

"This is our chance to build a world-class casino and entertainment complex," Mr Bugno said.

"For the first time, Star City will be facing the harbour and the city and that will give us an advantage that no other casino in the world can match."

Star City has included the outdoor gaming proposal in its major development application before the NSW Planning Department after it was rejected by City of Sydney Council in July.

At the time, Lord Mayor Clover Moore called the outdoor gaming area an appalling development that "would prey on the most vulnerable of society" while the NSW Health Department said it failed to meet smoke-free legislation.

It is understood that substantial changes have been made to the original proposal that was withdrawn from the council to ensure it complies with the state's unenclosed space laws.

While new licensing agreements will allow Star City to operate additional tables subject to approval, there will be no increase in the number of poker machines above the current 1500 cap.

About 750 construction jobs will be created over the next three years while another 900 hotel and casino jobs will be created when the expansion in complete in 2011.

A new grand entry to the casino on the harbour side will replace the current staircase while the existing ballroom will be expanded to hold at least 1200 people.

The final floor plans are still being designed but Mr Bugno estimates there would be around 17 restaurants and 11 bars in the new complex.

(Credit: The Daily Telegraph)

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