Plans for new Sydney convention centre criticised

News this week: The New South Wales (NSW) state government’s plan for a new entertainment and convention centre in Darling Harbour unveiled in July this year have been criticised as “inadequate and needs to be expanded”. The initial proposed plan includes a 12,000 m² exhibition and banqueting hall, and the demolition of the existing Sydney Entertainment Centre.

The Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) earlier welcomed the NSW government’s invitation for industry feedback on design concepts for the new Sydney International Convention and Entertainment Centre. Industry players have reportedly voiced their disapproval to government ministers in meetings after the plan was unveiled and have recommended ideas such as creating a precinct from the Harbourside shopping centre to the entertainment centre, and putting a road underground to expand the exhibition hall in width and height.

Roslyn McLeod, managing director of arinex, was quoted saying in the media, “In regards to additional capacity, it really doesn’t deliver… [the plan] does not do what Sydney requires to meet the needs of international conferences and exhibitions.”

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