Originally published July 13, 1979

A FIRM application has been made to the Victorian and New South Wales Governments for the go-ahead to establish a casino and convention centre in Sunraysia.

The proposed complex would be built beside the Murray River at an estimated cost of $3 million.

Principal Bank of Consultants of Australia, which has made the application, Mr Stuart Hall, said that each State Government had been advised that an application had been made to the other.

Mr Hall said this was the first positive step toward the establishment of a casino in either New South Wales or Victoria.

He said that should approval be given by either government, there were a number of possible sites on both sides of the river.

Mildura was chosen as the casino and convention centre site because it could draw people equally from Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide.

Mr Hall said Mildura had a high standard airport and its tourist facilities were first class.

The complex would be constructed of reinforced concrete and would consist of four modules.

Three of the units would each be of two floors, making a total of six floors in height, while the fourth module would be four floors high.

Mr Hall said the first three modules would be for casino purposes and the fourth would house restaurants, air plants, office and computer.

The three smaller modules would be circular and would contain a total of 82 large double-bedroom suites.

The low module would have facilities for light eating, both enclosed and in the open; while the two larger modules would each have a large core providing eight reasonably large convention areas.

If necessary, the convention areas could again be divided.

Should the application succeed, plans would be made for a jetty to give access to the complex via the river.

Sunraysia people will be among those encouraged to be shareholders in the venture.

Mr Hall said the complex would be different from the Coomealla and Wentworth Clubs.