Sydney Entertainment Centre to be replaced by multi purpose entertainment and convention venue

Delivering on a commitment it made prior to the NSW State election, the NSW Government has revealed that it is planning to demolish the Sydney Entertainment Centre (SEC), replacing the 28-year-old arena with a multifunction convention and entertainment venue.
A concept plan shows that the SEC and its adjoining car park would be razed and replaced by a new Sydney International Convention and Entertainment Centre (SICEC) with the capacity to hold 12,000 people.
The NSW Government's Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority has revealed that it is considering a range of procurement options and business models to develop the new venue, with a timetable anticipating completion by 2015.
Cox Richardson Architects Director Nick Tyrrell, who oversaw the concept plan, said while the capacity of the new venue would be similar, there would be advantages in having a new convention centre.
Tyrell told reporters "the issue is that the existing Entertainment Centre, although it is used once a year for conference-type events, it doesn't have the sight lines, the seating arrangements that you really want for a major conference.
NSW Tourism Minister George Souris said NSW had lost $400 million worth of conference business during the past decade, because it lacked convention centre capacity but declined to say if he wanted a new centre to hold bigger crowds.
Minister Souris explained "all we've seen is a conceptual presentation.
"When the expressions of interest come, we'll see what we have to chose from. We can wait a few months to see what industry itself has to offer."
A road separating the existing Entertainment Centre from Darling Harbour could also be built over or closed, so the new building links with the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre.
NSW Planning Minister Brad Hazzard said the NSW Government would consider whether to close a road or put it underground, so the new centre would link seamlessly with nearby Tumbalong Park.
The new convention centre would be built as part of a private public partnership, where the NSW Government would probably provide the land for free on the proviso a company covers the cost of building the centre.
Expressions of interest open in September with tenders to be called two months later.
The NSW Government plans to award a tender in July 2012 before construction begins in September 2012.
Prior to that, the NSW Government has invited the industry to provide feedback on its design concepts.
The Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) has welcomed this and intends to provide direct input to Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority to ensure that the needs and insights of major users of the proposed facilities are considered during the design planning phase.
EEAA President Matthew Pearce stated "not only has the (NSW) Government delivered on its pre-election promise to develop plans quickly for a new facility, it is also actively encouraging feedback from the future centre's users, which is to be greatly commended."
However, Pearce said it was also important that the plans be considered as part of a two-precinct policy for Sydney, and that this would be high on the association's agenda when it undertakes its review.
Pearce added "EEAA will be keen to see how the new exhibition centre design will complement the current upgrading of facilities at Sydney Showground. It is vital that the interests of both locations ï¾ and the events which will take place at them - are served."
The link to further information on the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority website is not working as of 11th July.

http://www.shfa.nsw.gov.au/