| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 28/08/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 41 |
| Copyright: Other |
Development plans
New centre to boost Perth’s economy
Report by TERESA MACHAN
PERTH is to get its own dedicated £122 million convention and exhibition centre after more than 20 years of lobbying.Perth Convention Bureau managing director Owen Cook said the decision represented a watershed for the meetings industry in Western Australia.
“It now means that, as a destination, we will be able to compete on level terms with the other state capitals and our overseas competitors,” he said.
Perth is the closest Australian gateway to Europe and is also the nearest capital city to Asia.
“The opportunity for associations to combine an oriental and Australian experience for delegates will have strong appeal for the UK/European market,” said Cook.
Due for completion at the end of 2002, the centre will feature a 17,000sq metre exhibition centre, a convention and banquet centre accommodating up to 2,500 people, a sports stadium and large terraces overlooking the Swan River, city and parklands.
The central business district is likely to be transformed as a result of spin-off developments and another £15 million will be spent rejuvenating and redeveloping old treasury buildings into a five-star heritage hotel and new town square. Westralia Square will be turned into a piazza with a 250-room hotel, while nearby heritage buildings will also be in line for refurbishment.
Cook said city hotels and a wide range of other suppliers would benefit from business won by the centre.
“Fifty cents of every delegate dollar is spent on retail items so we are looking at a big injection of money into the central business district when the centre opens in 2002,” Cook said.
He added that the bureau had won confirmed convention and incentive travel business during the 1999-2000 financial year, worth more than £28 million to the state’s economy.
And Cook is predicting a 12% growth in its meetings, incentive, conference and exhibition trade over the next year.
Much of the state’s incentive travel business originates in Asia but Europe regional manager for the Western Australia Tourist Commission, Vince Laurella, said it will be a useful tool for attracting corporate business traffic from Europe into Australia’s second largest gateway.
Perth: to benefit from business won by the convention and exhibition centre