Concept plans for a $900 million convention and entertainment centre at Darling Harbour were unveiled by the NSW government last week.

The new facility will be constructed on the site of the existing Entertainment Centre car park and when complete the current centre will be pulled down to make way for green space and “new investment opportunities”.

The NSW State Government claims the signifant development will put Sydney on track to becoming the entertainment and events capital of the Asia-Pacific.

Preliminary schematic diagrams of the proposed concept for the centre, as prepared by Cox Richardson

The plan includes seating for up to 12,000 people, a multi-function exhibit hall of up to 12,000 sqm, and it is expected the centre will host conventions, rock concerts and sporting events such as basketball, tennis and boxing.

The project was flagged in 2010, with Cox Richardson engaged to prepare options for the redevelopment.

The building cost outlines in the plans is around $560 million, although the completed facilities were said to be worth $900 million by the Sydney Morning Herald.

The decision was taken to demolish rather than upgrade the existing entertainment centre largely because of the opportunity to use that site for private sector opportunities and to enhance the public domain and connectivity to the wider harbour precinct.

According to the planning documents, other key elements of the SMCEC will include:

delivery of a number of important public domain enhancements, the most significant being the creation of a plaza or public gathering space adjacent to the SMCEC, usable as open public space and pre or post function meeting areas;
improved connectivity and linkages to surrounding areas, including significantly enhanced connections through to Darling Harbour; and
provision of other uses, such as hotel and retail uses, intended to enliven the precinct and support the central convention/entertainment functions.

Design excellence is a key requirment of the government brief, with the redevelopment being touted as an ¨opportunity to deliver an iconic building with a distinctive landmark quality and a platform for world-class architecture¨.

NSW Planning Minister Brad Hazzard met with industry leaders to discuss plans for the centre last week.

"We are engaging with industry leaders to share our plans, open them up to critique and draw on the expertise of the state's leading professionals," Hazzard said.

"It's an opportunity for industry to engage — but more importantly, for the government to make use of the state's brightest and boldest minds."

The Government is now preparing to call for expressions of interest to deliver the facility.

The concept Plan for the proposed Sydney International Convention and Entertainment Centre is available via this link.

Images: NSW Department of Planning

David Wheeldon

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