SkyCity convention centre consent to be non-notified
Commissioners rule project's environmental effects will be "no more than minor."
Nick Grant discusses the new convention centre on NBR Radio, and on demand on MyNBR Radio.
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The independent commissioners deliberating over SkyCity’s [NZX: SKC] application for resource consent for its controversial International Convention Centre in central Auckland have ruled it doesn’t need to be publicly notified.
That’s in spite of a recommendation from Auckland Council, which appointed the commissioners, that it should be.
According to the council the commissioners had considered the environmental effects of the application and concluded these were "no more than minor," obviating the need for public notification.
In a statement to NZX that welcomes the decision, SkyCity chief executive Nigel Morrison says he expects a final resource consent decision to be made in the next few months.
This would allow the casino company to enter into a binding building works contract by October and start construction by the end of the year.
The company had previously estimated that a notified consent process could have delayed the project by six months, while the government fretted it could set back proceedings by up to 18 months.
Shares in SkyCtiy advanced 1.2% to $4.25, having gained 8.3% so far this year. The stock is recommended as a 'buy' according to the average rating of analysts polled by Reuters.
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Nick Grant
Fri, 10 Jul 2015
Fri, 10 Jul 2015
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SkyCity convention centre consent to be non-notified
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