Lasseters Casino plans hinge on Northern Territory government approval

From entertaining kids to satisfying food lovers, an NT tourism icon is set for a major redevelopment. But the proposal needs government approval. Here’s what to expect from the project.

Lasseters Casino in Alice Springs will get a makeover.

Lasseters Casino in Alice Springs will get extensions to existing gaming areas, bars and restaurants and a new hotel lobby, gym, creche and day spa.

The project is expected to cost about $70m to $100m.

Planning documents lodged with the Northern Territory Government reveals the works aim to “upgrade and enhance the existing Lasseters Resort through various stages of development and new land uses”.

“The proposal also seeks to establish approximately 235 new dwelling‐multiple across five new residential buildings varying from four to five stories in height with basement parking and the provision of a new childcare centre on the site,” the doecument said.

“The site and overall use as an existing resort is largely an exception in the locality and region and the development and proposed improvements will present an iconic redevelopment of the site to cater for a mix of uses.”

The documents, prepared by Cunnington Rosse Town Planning & Consulting, said “overall, the proposed development will not be a detriment to the public interest.”

“The site has been designed with considerations to safety and as per the current site, access control across to the site and across the site minimise criminal opportunities and provide for safe routes within the site,” the developers wrote.

An artist's impression of the proposed development. Picture: Supplied

“All aspects of recreation on the site that involve water safety and disability access will be meet relevant standards (if applicable) as requirement at the building certification stage, noting consideration to safety and access across and within the site underpin the design methodology.

“(The proposed development) will result in a suitable mixed‐use development and maintains and enhances the amenity of the locality. It is therefore to the benefit of the public interest for this development to be approved.”

The consultants noted the height of some of the proposed buildings exceeded the limit set down by the NT Planning Scheme, triggering the need for an “exceptional development permit”.

But the documents said the proposal was otherwise “largely compliant with the scheme”.

“The proposal seeks to minimise unreasonable impacts to the amenity of surrounding locality and any land use conflicts, noting the site is somewhat isolated from potential areas that could

be impacted,” the document said.

“The development focuses on an inwards design philosophy to limit potential impacts external to the site.

“It is noted the proposal is supported by an acoustic report and it is further highlighted that the site does contain the existing resort which is managed to ensure impacts external to the site are appropriately managed.

“This approach will continue when considering the proposed redevelopment.”

Lasseters Casino was bought by Sydney developer Iris Captital in April 2021.

In April this year, Iris Capital chief executive Sam Arnaout revealed plans to splurge $70m upgrading the facility.