SkyCity convention centre resource content likely to be granted

The design of the NZICC, laneway and hotel. Photo / Supplied

Resource consent for SkyCity's international convention centre should be granted, an Auckland Council expert who has assessed the company's application has recommended.

Reporting Officer Richard Blakely has recommended a panel of four independent commissioners green light the project, which would see the casino company build an international convention centre and hotel in exchange for gambling policy concessions from the government.

Mr Blakely recommended consent for the New Zealand International Convention Centre be granted subject to around 50 conditions. Lawyers and experts for SkyCity are making submissions on the conditions, which relate to matters such as subsequent design changes and noise limits, at a hearing in Auckland today.

SkyCity's legal submissions included several new images of the development, which will include a 3,000 seat theatre, convention space for 3000 people and an adjoining 120-story five star hotel with 300 bedrooms.

The images are still conceptual as the design process is ongoing.

SkyCity's legal team argued that the final appearance of the buildings was not a matter for the resource consent process but rather compliance with its brief from the Crown.

In return for building the Convention Centre, the Government has given SkyCity the rights to operate 230 extra poker machines and 40 new gaming tables, plus other benefits including the extension of its gaming licence until 2048.

A decision on the consent application is expected to take around three weeks. If granted it would clear the way for work on the contentious project to begin.