Adelaide Casino to lose general manager Aaron Morrison after sudden resignation
THE sudden resignation of the Adelaide Casino boss has sparked calls from the Opposition for the Government to “come clean” on the progress of the $350 million expansion..
THE sudden resignation of the Adelaide Casino boss has sparked calls from the Opposition for
the Government to “come clean” on the progress of the $350 million expansion.
The casino’s acting general manager Aaron Morrison announced his resignation on Thursday, through the Australian Stock Exchange, but will remain with the company until December 31.
It comes as SkyCity continues to consider its redevelopment plans for the casino, which would include high-end hotel rooms, 500 more poker machines and 110 additional gaming tables.
The expansion was expected to be progressed after the casino reached an agreement with Walker Corporation to lease 750 spaces in the new Festival Centre carpark.
The $610 million Festival Plaza redevelopment was approved by the State Government in March.
At the time, SkyCity chief executive Nigel Morrison said the deal with Walker Corporation to lease the car parks was a major hurdle cleared for the redevelopment to proceed.
An announcement was expected in the months after the deal was reached but nothing has been made public from either party, except the State Government confirming it was considering its options for the site if the casino development did not go ahead.
Opposition treasury spokesman Rob Lucas said the State Government needed to say how the negotiations with the casino were progressing and provide detail about what stage the project was up to.
“It’s up to John Rau and the government to come clean about what exactly is the reason for the delay,” he said.
“We have been led to believe there would be a deal in the not-too-distant future from all the previous spin the government has put out on the project, so they need to explain what’s happening with the expansion.
“The Walker Corporation’s development, Festival Plaza and the casino expansion are all interlinked and the public has a right to know what is happening there on the Riverbank.”
The casino redevelopment is viewed as key to the revitalisation of the Riverbank Precinct.
Urban Development Minister John Rau said he wanted the casino to make a decision on its expansion plans in the near future.
“I am on the public record already as having encouraged SkyCity to make a commitment to the casino development sooner rather than later,” he said.
“I understand their consideration of the matter continues to progress. Mr Morrison’s departure will not delay or complicate ongoing negotiations with the casino regarding the plaza development.”
SkyCity chief executive Nigel Morrison said the outgoing Adelaide casino boss had decided to return to Melbourne 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,’’ he 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.’’
Mr Morrison, who spent six years with SkyCity, is expected to continue in a high-level role at Adelaide Casino until he departs at the end of the year.
The search for his replacement has already commenced and SkyCity expects the role to be filled early in 2016.