With the ACT Government and the federal government recently completing the first stage of their funding agreement for a new convention and entertainment precinct in Canberra, a business case for the project now has a suggested completion date of mid-2028.
Considering a public-private partnership for development of the precinct will be part of business case process.
“Canberra needs a larger, modern convention and entertainment facility that can both meet future demand for business events and open more opportunities to host live music and entertainment in a large indoor venue,” said ACT’s chief minister Andrew Barr in a media statement on Thursday.
“The existing convention centre is very busy and cannot meet future demand. A larger convention centre and entertainment centre will enable more, and bigger, events to be held in Canberra.
“This joint territory and federal government investment will deliver a major city-shaping project that stimulates economic growth, supports business, grows more local jobs and helps create a livelier city centre.”
A procurement process to create a reference design for the precinct is expected to start soon, while planning approvals and further consultation with industry and other stakeholders are expected to be features of work on the project over the next year.
micenet understands the new convention centre is planned for the current site of the Canberra Olympic Pool, across the road from the existing centre, meaning there would be no interruption to availability of convention facilities in the capital during construction.
A new UNSW campus is currently under construction on a site diagonally opposite the future convention centre site, bringing multiple points of Canberra’s knowledge economy together in one spot.
