AusLeisure

Auckland Council has given the SKYCITY Entertainment Group resource consent approval  for the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) project.

The decision follows an independent board of commissioners’ determination in July that the NZICC resource consent application should proceed on a non-notified basis. The approval enables SKYCITY to now seek the amendments necessary to incorporate the Preliminary Design changes that were agreed with the New Zealand Government in May this year.

SKYCITY’s Chief Executive Nigel Morrison says the resource consent approval for the project is great news, and SKYCITY looks forward to delivering a landmark facility for Auckland and New Zealand.

Morrison explained “we are working towards concluding a building works contract later this year, having already put months of work into the tender process and with strong interest from outstanding and experienced construction firms.

“Our objective is to turn the first sod of the New Zealand International Convention Centre before Christmas.”

The NZICC will be the largest purpose built convention centre in New Zealand, capable of hosting conferences of 3,150 people or two concurrent events of 1,200 delegates each.

SKYCITY also plans to construct a new laneway featuring shops, cafes, bars and quality signature restaurants.

The resource consent approval also allows for the construction of a 5-star, 300-room hotel. SKYCITY has completed the preliminary design for the hotel and is currently exploring options with external investors for the development and future ownership of the hotel.

Business and tourism groups have welcomed the move with Tourism Industry Association New Zealand Chief Executive Chris Roberts stating “we are pleased to see progress on this vital piece of infrastructure to accelerate the growth in tourism’s contribution to the New Zealand economy.

Business events were highlighted as a high-value growth area for tourism in the industry’s Tourism 2025 growth framework, which aims to almost double total tourism revenue to $41 billion over the next decade.

Roberts added “cities all over the world are investing in convention centres because they can see the potential, but New Zealand has been lagging behind.

“The International Convention Centre will allow us to target a valuable new sector of the convention market that we have not previously been able to accommodate.”

27th May 2015 - DESIGN AGREED FOR NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE

18th February 2015 - SKYCITY CONVENTION CENTRE PLANS REVIEWED AS PUBLIC FUNDING RULED OUT

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