Busselton $44 million Convention and Performing Arts Centre nears completion

Busselton's new $44 million Convention and Performing Arts Centre - ‘Saltwater’ - is nearing completion with an anticipated opening forecast for mid-2025.

Situated across from the heritage-listed Old Courthouse Complex in the Busselton Cultural Precinct, this modern, multi-purpose venue will connect the foreshore to the CBD, creating long-term synergies with existing heritage, cultural, and tourism assets.

Located two and a half hours’ drive south of Perth and easily accessible from the east coast with direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Busselton Margaret River Airport, the region is perfectly placed to attract world-class entertainment and national conferences.

Saltwater has been named after the Wadandi (Saltwater People), the Traditional Owners of the land (Undalup) on which this new venue is located.

Once completed, 'Saltwater' will be a multi-purpose facility used for a variety of creative, cultural, community and business events.

Key features of the venue include a 640-seat tiered theatre that can be transformed into an open space with a 1000-person standing capacity, perfect for large trade shows and conventions.

Equipped with high performance light and sound equipment, the venue is also ideal for concerts and other musical performances.

Significant progress on construction has been made to the façade and interior spaces including the foyer, the Saltwater Gallery, the auditorium and back of house areas.

Window frames have been installed and glazing is almost complete. Ceilings, internal wall frames and doors are being progressively installed.

After a design competition, which engaged seven renowned firms, Council awarded the design tender in 2020 to Kerry Hill Architects. An extended period of consultation with key stakeholders and industry representatives informed design development and tender specifications resulting in the inclusion of a new gallery space and additional multi-purpose function rooms. An updated Business Case and funding application was submitted to the State Government.

In 2021, a funding contribution was made by Rio Tinto and a Lotterywest funding application submitted. In June, tenders for construction were received. All were well over the forecast budget due to COVID recovery stimulus incentives. Further community consultation on the future of the project was undertaken, including an optional modified design. A decision to proceed with the full design was made by Council in September and in November Council approved the award of the construction contract to Broad Construction PTY Ltd.

Positioned to become a destination for the performing, creative and business event sectors, Saltwater Busselton will host a wide range of entertainment, exhibitions and conferences across three levels of innovation and artistic inspiration.

Busselton Cultural Precinct Venue Manager, Sharon Custers shared "Excitement is building around the new venue and we’ve been working closely with Australia's South West and Business Events Perth to attract national conferences to Busselton, which will significantly lift the local economy.

“We've received a surge of enquiries from event organisers who are keen to hire the venue for a range of functions, conventions, exhibitions and events, from dance concerts and school graduations to world-class entertainment and large national conferences.

"We’ve also secured a number of exciting shows for our opening year with more currently being negotiated. We will host some outstanding comedy, theatre, circus and dance tours, as well as some iconic Australian musicians and bands.

"Rehearsals are currently underway for Saltwater's opening production, Busstop, a professionally written play that tells the untold stories of Busselton's history up to the present day.

"Venue bookings will go live later this year and hirers will be able to view details and book online for events taking place from mid-2025 onwards.

Saltwater will diversify the range of events held in Busselton, as it will be the only indoor venue in the Margaret River Region with a 1000-person standing capacity. This will increase the amount of live music performances and concerts held in the region, which will boost visitation during the shoulder and off-peak tourism periods.

Increased visitation to the region will benefit the local economy by generating steady demand for local products and services throughout the year, resulting in a significant increase in revenue and employment opportunities for the region.

Businesses expected to directly benefit from increased regional visitation include accommodation providers, restaurants, catering companies, hospitality suppliers, event hire operators, wineries, breweries, transport and tour companies, live performers and cleaning businesses.

The $44.5 million project is jointly funded, with the Australian Government committing $12.2 million, the City of Busselton Council providing over $30.2 million, Lottery West providing $1.8 million and RIO Tinto contributing the remaining $250,000 toward the project.

Image. Saltwater Busselton concept render