20 Feb 2013

Business groups keen for convention centre to be built

3:15 pm on 20 February 2013

Auckland business groups want the Government to move forward quickly to get the SkyCity convention centre built.

A report by the Deputy Auditor-General on Wedneday found there was no evidence that the Government's negotiations for the $350 million complex were inappropriate.

Negotiations can now resume on a deal that looks set to grant SkyCity more gaming machines in exchange for building the centre.

The Heart of the City business group and the Auckland Chamber of Commerce say while the deal may not be perfect, it is good enough and should be acted on as soon as possible.

In a statement, SkyCity said it was looking forward to resuming negotiations with the Government.

At present, SkyCity casino has almost 1600 gaming machines, which could rise to more than 2000 under the deal being negotiated.