Published Sunday, 10 February, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre’s $130M expansion
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre’s $130 million expansion will enable the Centre to meet increasing international and national demand, Premier Anna Bligh said today.
“The new convention centre development will be built on vacant land next to the existing Convention Centre in Grey Street at South Bank,” said Member for South Brisbane.
Today’s expansion confirmation also dovetails with an innovative water-harvesting project for use in the nearby South Bank Parklands.
Ms Bligh said that the Centre’s strong performance, with record forward bookings and sustained growth underpins the expansion.
“Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre has achieved record profits over each year of the past three years and generates more than $200 million in economic benefit for Brisbane and Queensland each year.
“The expansion will strengthen the Centre’s leadership position in a very competitive market and will continue to enhance Brisbane’s reputation as a leading destination,” Ms Bligh said.
The Grey Street Development is designed to meet an urgent need to accommodate conventions of up to 600 delegates and will provide greater flexibility in accommodating events of different sizes at the one time.
The expansion incorporates five levels of boutique convention and event space with an additional 18 meeting rooms including two state-of-the-art tiered auditoriums.
South Bank Corporation Chief Executive Officer, Malcolm Snow welcomed confirmation: “The new facilities will face the South Bank Cultural Forecourt and add to the activation of Grey Street as a retail and restaurant hub and provide a direct link to the South Bank Precinct.”
Michael Rayner from specialist convention centre architects Cox Rayner, said the planned expansion both integrates functionality with the existing centre and creates its own destination: "It will have a very 'fluid' expression, activating Grey Street as well as connecting the centre through vertical landscaping with the parklands. “
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre General Manager, Robert O’Keeffe said confirmation of expansion was not only timely - but also very welcome.
“Brisbane is experiencing a period of record growth with a 28% increase in business tourism visitor nights according to the most recent national visitors survey. The Centre’s forward booking levels are at an all-time-high and as such, the need to expand our facilities has become critical to our future business plans.”
Mr O’Keeffe said the Centre’s sales team has recently confirmed an unprecedented number of new convention bid wins for Brisbane and the Centre and there is every indication that the trend will continue.
“The new development will provide us with the infrastructure to host more than 250 additional new events each year,” Mr O’Keeffe said.
“With a yearly average of hosting 900 events, the Centre recorded its busiest year ever last financial year and with 1000 forward bookings and 50 new enquiries being received each week, the Centre’s future is secure.
The redevelopment is expected to start mid year and is scheduled for completion in mid 2010.
Meanwhile Ms Bligh detailed that the Queensland Government will spend $4.6 million on an extensive stormwater harvesting system to supply South Bank Parklands’ irrigation requirements.
“My Government is committed to pursuing innovative water supplies and this is a great example expected to meet close to 80% of the South Bank Parklands’ irrigation and water feature needs.
“Water that would have run out into the river will now go onto South Bank Parklands’ wonderful gardens, making the most of every drop of rain.
“The South Bank Parklands project will showcase the potential for stormwater harvesting as an alternative supply source in urban environments.
The project will span the South Bank urban stormwater catchment using a permanent system that includes:
• A diversion pit to harvest stormwater from existing large diameter drains running through South Bank Parklands to the river
• Pumping to a 2ML underground storage reservoir beneath the Russell St Green
• Treatment plant and irrigation system
• Roof water harvesting from the Suncorp Piazza for local re-use
South Bank currently trucks in recycled water for irrigation and water features.
Design work is already underway and this project is scheduled for completion by the early 2009.
Media contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
“The new convention centre development will be built on vacant land next to the existing Convention Centre in Grey Street at South Bank,” said Member for South Brisbane.
Today’s expansion confirmation also dovetails with an innovative water-harvesting project for use in the nearby South Bank Parklands.
Ms Bligh said that the Centre’s strong performance, with record forward bookings and sustained growth underpins the expansion.
“Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre has achieved record profits over each year of the past three years and generates more than $200 million in economic benefit for Brisbane and Queensland each year.
“The expansion will strengthen the Centre’s leadership position in a very competitive market and will continue to enhance Brisbane’s reputation as a leading destination,” Ms Bligh said.
The Grey Street Development is designed to meet an urgent need to accommodate conventions of up to 600 delegates and will provide greater flexibility in accommodating events of different sizes at the one time.
The expansion incorporates five levels of boutique convention and event space with an additional 18 meeting rooms including two state-of-the-art tiered auditoriums.
South Bank Corporation Chief Executive Officer, Malcolm Snow welcomed confirmation: “The new facilities will face the South Bank Cultural Forecourt and add to the activation of Grey Street as a retail and restaurant hub and provide a direct link to the South Bank Precinct.”
Michael Rayner from specialist convention centre architects Cox Rayner, said the planned expansion both integrates functionality with the existing centre and creates its own destination: "It will have a very 'fluid' expression, activating Grey Street as well as connecting the centre through vertical landscaping with the parklands. “
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre General Manager, Robert O’Keeffe said confirmation of expansion was not only timely - but also very welcome.
“Brisbane is experiencing a period of record growth with a 28% increase in business tourism visitor nights according to the most recent national visitors survey. The Centre’s forward booking levels are at an all-time-high and as such, the need to expand our facilities has become critical to our future business plans.”
Mr O’Keeffe said the Centre’s sales team has recently confirmed an unprecedented number of new convention bid wins for Brisbane and the Centre and there is every indication that the trend will continue.
“The new development will provide us with the infrastructure to host more than 250 additional new events each year,” Mr O’Keeffe said.
“With a yearly average of hosting 900 events, the Centre recorded its busiest year ever last financial year and with 1000 forward bookings and 50 new enquiries being received each week, the Centre’s future is secure.
The redevelopment is expected to start mid year and is scheduled for completion in mid 2010.
Meanwhile Ms Bligh detailed that the Queensland Government will spend $4.6 million on an extensive stormwater harvesting system to supply South Bank Parklands’ irrigation requirements.
“My Government is committed to pursuing innovative water supplies and this is a great example expected to meet close to 80% of the South Bank Parklands’ irrigation and water feature needs.
“Water that would have run out into the river will now go onto South Bank Parklands’ wonderful gardens, making the most of every drop of rain.
“The South Bank Parklands project will showcase the potential for stormwater harvesting as an alternative supply source in urban environments.
The project will span the South Bank urban stormwater catchment using a permanent system that includes:
• A diversion pit to harvest stormwater from existing large diameter drains running through South Bank Parklands to the river
• Pumping to a 2ML underground storage reservoir beneath the Russell St Green
• Treatment plant and irrigation system
• Roof water harvesting from the Suncorp Piazza for local re-use
South Bank currently trucks in recycled water for irrigation and water features.
Design work is already underway and this project is scheduled for completion by the early 2009.
Media contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500