1999: Jeff Kennett Vs Star City

The Sydney Vs Melbourne rivalry is a big part of life in both cities as each city battles to outdo the other for the prestige of bragging rights as Australia's Number One City. Following a visit to Star City Casino (now The Star) by Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett (1992-1999), Kennett decided to unleash his thoughts on Sydney's casino against that of Crown Casino in Melbourne. He also decided that it was "appropriate" to wear a Crown Casino tie on his visit.

   

Source: Penberthy, D. 1999. "Your Casino's the pits". The Daily Telegraph, July 24: 9. 

But let's fast forward to 2025. Crown has since opened in the Harbour City, opening in two phases at Barangaroo. In 2020, the hotel, retail, and dining precincts opened, with the casino opening in 2022. Initially, the casino was targeted at High Rollers, but has since welcomed all gamblers. It still remains a "tables only" casino. Even with competition with Crown, The Star still remains the preferred casino of Sydneysiders seeking to flutter a dollar or two. 

Also, was there a need to compare both casinos? Is there even a need to compare them today? Is there a need to compare Crown Sydney to Crown Melbourne? Interestingly, both Crown Melbourne and The Star Sydney have been built as part of urban renewal schemes in their respective cities. The Star was built as part of the renewal of the Pyrmont Peninsula on the former site of the Pyrmont Power Station. Crown Melbourne was built on former industrial land at Southbank in Melbourne on the shores of the Yarra River. 

It can be forgotten that both The Star and Crown Melbourne are not just casinos and resorts, but also entertainment centres. The Star has the Lyric Theatre. Crown has its own multiplex cinema, for instance, alongside shops and restaurants. 

Finally, there have been plans for expansions and redevelopment at The Star, which could have allowed it to evolve into an even better complex that could truly compete with Crown Melbourne, but these plans have been shut down by planning agencies. 

NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: Harrah's Sydney Casino Proposal (1986)

Sourced from: Dale, D. & Shanahan, D. 1986. "Sydney Casino: FBI checks US partner". The Sydney Morning Herald, July 2: 1. 

For the first time in two years, Never Built Sydney is back for another series, as I look at more of the "never builts" that were proposed for Sydney.

As part of the redevelopment of Darling Harbour in the 1980s, the Wran and Unsworth Governments sought to develop the eastern side of Cockle Bay into a Casino and Hotel complex. This was also a solution to rid the city of illegal gambling houses.

The site in question is currently the site of the Darling Park complex, comprising three office towers and the Cockle Bay Wharf dining precinct. 

Sourced from: Holland, M. & Ringrose, D. 1986. "Casino deal 'cannot be scrapped'". The Daily Telegraph, August 12: 1 & 2. 

In 1985, the Wran Government put the site up for tender.  American casino operator Harrah's (owned by hotel chain Holiday Inn) in conjunction with Hooker Corporation was awarded the contract on June 24, 1986. Their proposal for the Casino Resort would comprise two buildings: one rising atop the Western Distributor and fronting Cockle Bay to around 11/12 storeys tall, which would feature the casino, while a 45-level hotel tower would be built towards the corner of Druitt and Sussex Street. 

Sourced from: Ringrose, D. 1986. "Hooker vows: We'll fight for casino". The Daily Telegraph, August 13: 1 & 2. 

Details about the towers and facilities were not published at the time and were based on observations in the photos of the model published in the media.

Why did it not proceed?

Source: Dale, D. & Shanahan, D. 1986. "Sydney Casino: FBI checks US partner". The Sydney Morning Herald, July 2: 1. 

The process required tenders (and individuals involved) to pass an "integrity check, " equivalent to a police check on an individual who may be considered for employment within a company. The Sydney Morning Herald in July 1986 revealed that Harrah's was under investigation by the FBI in the United States and the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement over a claim that "it used organised crime figures to arrange deals with a union". This had not been uncovered during the initial integrity checks.

Source: Dale, D. 1986. "Questions Atlantic City wasn't asked". The Sydney Morning Herald, July 2: 1 & 4. 

The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement responded that the NSW Government had not approached them.

Source: Holland, M. & Ringrose, D. 1986. "Casino deal 'cannot be scrapped'". The Daily Telegraph, August 12: 1 & 2. 

The revelation led to the State Government cancelling the contract on August 12 1986. Harrah's and Hooker took the government to the NSW Supreme Court claiming that the government were obligated to comply with the agreement. It would be settled out of court in 1989 with the NSW Government paying the consortium $33 million in compensation plus $5 million in court costs, a fraction of the $700 million initially demanded.

Source: Ringrose, D. 1986. "Hooker vows: We'll fight for casino". The Daily Telegraph, August 13: 1 & 2. 

New tenders were sought later that year and continued into 1987, but integrity checks saw all tenders rejected. Harrah's and Hooker tried again, but were unsuccessful. By the end of 1987, the Unsworth Government attempted a third round of tenders.

In 1988, the Unsworth Government was replaced by a Coalition Government under Nick Greiner. With $500 million still owing on the cost of the Darling Harbour Redevelopment, the NSW Government shifted in 1989 towards a mixed-use development of the site with a hotel, offices, and retail buildings to be built. In 1991, Darling Park was conceived, with towers built in three stages—1992, 1999, and 2005—with Cockle Bay Wharf constructed in 1998. The proposed hotel tower did not proceed.