"I consider this a blatant misuse of the planning process by The Star casino to try and protect their existing monopoly and delay much-needed competition into Sydney's VIP gaming market," Mr Craigie said in a statement. The connection between Milchan and the Packer family goes back to the 1990s. Credit:Reuters The advice, by Adrian Galasso, SC, and Clifford Ireland, questions the scale of the environmental impacts of the new proposal given the increased height and density of the buildings proposed for Barangaroo South under the plan. The new concept plan would mean a 7.4 per cent increase in gross floor area for Barangaroo, including lifting the height of Mr Packer's hotel and casino building from 168 metres to 275 metres. The advice suggests the government's decision to grant Mr Packer a casino licence before the concept plan application is considered puts in doubt the Planning Minister's ability to be impartial in his decision-making.

The advice also questions if NSW liquor and gambling authorities, the health department and the department of community services should have been consulted as they are "arguably relevant in relation to a proposal for a casino". 'I consider this a blatant misuse of the planning process': Crown Sydney chief executive Rowen Craigie. Credit:Philip Gostelow "[The modification] if granted, would be open to judicial review proceedings ... of the Land and Environment Court's jurisdiction," the advice says. The advice is attached to Echo's objection to the concept plan, revised after former premier Barry O'Farrell asked developer Lend Lease to relocate a hotel over the harbour in the initial plan following community objections. Lend Lease struck a deal with Mr Packer's Crown Resorts to build a new hotel building on Barangaroo South. Crown insisted this could only be financially viable with a casino licence.