Decision close on Riverbank hotel, triggering possible Adelaide Casino upgrade FLASH: Artist's impression of the $350 million Adelaide Casino expansion, which may go ahead if Lang Walker gets the nod to build a hotel nearby. A FINAL decision on tycoon Lang Walker's $170 million Riverbank hotel and carpark development is expected within weeks, potentially triggering a long-awaited Adelaide Casino expansion. Premier Jay Weatherill says a final proposal is expected to be considered "in the near future" for a 20-storey hotel/office complex behind Old Parliament House and replacement car park on the Festival Plaza site. A $350 million Casino expansion, including a six-star boutique hotel and new "jewel-like" building, hinges on whether the $70 million car park goes ahead. Sources close to the projects have told The Advertiser the Walker development will be approved within weeks, but others cautioned they had been told this before. Some suggested Mr Weatherill was lukewarm on the $100 million hotel/office development, saying they believed the Premier was uneasy about putting one of the city's tallest buildings in a precinct bounded by Parliament House, the Casino and Adelaide Festival Centre. Developers said there was significant appetite for moving swiftly in the Riverbank precinct to capitalise on the overwhelming popularity of the Adelaide Oval upgrade. Walker Corp executive director Lang Walker. Both major parties during the March state election campaign ruled out office tower development on the Hajek Plaza, between Parliament and the Festival Centre. The Advertiser asked Mr Weatherill whether he was satisfied with the rigour and pace of the Walker and Casino developments and whether he supported or opposed a 20-storey office/hotel development behind Old Parliament House. "We have been clear that the Plaza area needs to be preserved as a cultural and entertainment precinct," Mr Weatherill said, in a written statement.. The Government is continuing to work with Walker Corp on the design and fit out of a replacement car park on the Festival Plaza site and any potential associated development behind old Parliament House. The government expects to consider a final proposal in the near future. An artist's impressions of $350 million Adelaide Casino expansion and new premium gaming room. Source: SkyCity The Casino is banking on the extra car park spaces to help attract sufficient patrons to fuel its expansion. The Advertiser in August revealed the Government would allow Mr Walker to build a hotel and a one or two-storey building, including restaurants and bars, along the northern side of Parliament House, if the bid gains public support. It is understood this proposal, which involves a boutique hotel and offices in the 20-storey building, gained sufficient support with both the Government and Mr Walker. This hotel/office complex would be built opposite the Casino entrance on Station Rd, which connects North Tce to Festival Drv. Hajek Plaza would be extended between the current site and Festival Centre to create a new entrance to the arts complex. It is understood this would cost about $20 million. The existing car park would be replaced by a 1400-space, three-level car park worth about $70 million, funded by Mr Walker. Mr Weatherill in February announced a $46.5 million investment to transform the Festival plaza, saying this would be the "centrepiece of the Riverbank project" and the city's "premier cultural and entertainment plaza." Under the agreement with Walker Corporation, Mr Weatherill said, the Government would lease 400 car parks, mostly for the Festival Centre, and the Casino would lease the remaining 1000 parks. Mr Walker in late 2012 was awarded exclusive rights to develop the car park and Riverbank precinct.