Plans revealed for expansion of Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre

Comprehensive plans for the expansion of the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre have been revealed today by venue leaseholders Brookfield and Wyllie.

The - as yet unfunded and uncosted - plans for the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre (PCEC) show an increase in its capacity along with a better connection between the venue and Swan River with floor-to-ceiling windows on the riverbank along with plans to connect the site to Elizabeth Quay.

The concept also includes a curving wharf with three jetties, along with a floating outdoor theatre facing back towards the shore.

The wharf would also provide opportunities for a number of hospitality offerings, along with the potential for a new ferry stop.

The plan not only aims to expand the venue, which was built in 2004, but to also reverse widely held perceptions that it doesn't make use of its prime location.

Revealing the plans this morning, Western Australian Premier, Roger Cook said the PCEC was one of the "oldest and smallest" convention centres in Australia, noting “if we are going to attract prosperous business events to Perth, we need to continue to upgrade the facilities we make available to them.

"Our city deserves better than a shed on the river and this will right an historic wrong."

Welcoming the announcement of the upgrade, Tourism Council WA Chief Executive, Evan Hall said upgrading and expanding PCEC was the long overdue missing piece in developing Perth as a destination and was the industry’s top infrastructure priority.

Hall explained "Perth has the oldest convention exhibition facility of any capital city in Australia, every other city has upgraded and expanded its facilities at least once if not twice since PCEC was opened.

"Currently Perth is losing out to second tier business event destinations such as Adelaide, Geelong and Darwin that have invested in expanding their convention and exhibition centres."

Noting that welcomed the State Government’s focus on developing PCEC and the precinct, Hall added that it represents "crucial economic infrastructure that needed to be well designed as the key asset for Western Australia’s visitor economy for the next 30 to 40 years.

"We have a world-class stadium, area, airport, casino and hotel offering, the missing piece is a world-class convention and exhibition centre, and new attractions and activities around the Perth CBD and Swan River. Developing the whole PCEC precinct provides an opportunity to create new attractions and experiences as well as expanding the convention and exhibition centre and integrate the waterfront from PCEC, through to Elizabeth Quay and Barrack Street Jetty to create the State’s premier visitor destination.

"Unlike the Stadium, the current Convention Centre was not built for purpose as an events venue. It was built under a PPP to save money in the short term but at great long-term cost. We must not repeat that mistake again.”

A formal plan will be presented to the Western Australian Government later this year, including costs, funding options and construction timeframes.

Images: Concept for the expansion of the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre (top) and Tourism Council WA's Evan Hall (below).