HOTA plans will see it become a complete cultural precinct with new arts component

There are strong suggestions a Gold Coast council building should used for a small theatre and educational facility for the arts, writes Paul Weston.

What’s next on the Gold Coast live venue scene? Will a Lyric Theatre be built? There could be a surprise addition to the cultural precinct

As rock duo and great mates Bernard Fanning and Paul Dempsey took a selfie at their sellout show at HOTA, my thoughts turned to whether the old theatre might face a final encore.

HOTA’s rebuild has been talked about since 2022. Council employed a consultancy to examine the old and new components at Evandale as councillors inside the chambers remained divided.

At that time it was estimated that replacing the existing building would require $295m. At least $29m would be needed for a renovation.

Fanning last Saturday put everything in perspective. He asked fans going back to his Powderfinger days whether they attended The Playroom at Tallebudgera.

“Do you still have your teeth,” he asked.

Paul Dempsey and Bernard Fanning with their band saying farewell to the crowd at the HOTA theatre on the Gold Coast, in the final show of their national tour.

We all left the main theatre without needing dental work. Its size and acoustics were perfect. Fanning and Dempsey’s encore included a rocking cover of Queen’s Under Pressure.

The real pressure is on councillors now to make a decision on a Lyric Theatre.

The old main theatre, which continues to host films, accommodates about 1100 guests.

A Lyric Theatre, seating 1800 patrons, at a cost of $538 million, would be next door.

A council budget source says: “There is no appetite among the councillors to get rid of the Arts Centre in any form. The Lyric Theatre is very much a present conversation.”

As councillors finalise meetings behind closed doors in special budget meetings, it seems the Lyric Theatre will not be an upfront funding item – for this year.

Bernard Fanning and Paul Dempsey on the final show of a national tour at HOTA on the Gold Coast.

“Councillors are looking at a funding model to deliver it at minimal impact to the ratepayers. There will no be no change into the next 12 to 24 months,” the budget source says.

What there will be progress on is building the Surfers Paradise Town Hall live venue, capable of handling 2500 fans, similar to The Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane.

Time lines are also being built for fast forwarding of the Gold Coast Arena, considered a necessity by the Crisafulli Government for the 2032 Olympics. The Carey Park indoor facility would fit at least 12,000 fans.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate with a model of the proposed Lyric Theatre.

The only piece of the puzzle in the city’s future live entertainment remains the venue for the councillors themselves.

There are strong suggestions for them to exit the Evandale Chambers, and for that building to be also removed of staffers and become a small theatre and educational facility for the arts.

New updated designs for the planned Lyric theatre at HOTA on the Gold Coast.

It would see the entire precinct focused on culture. But would residents still be able to attend meetings if council was shifted across the road to the newly bought Corporate Centre?

“There would still be a gallery. There’s still a forecourt (for them to gather). There’s still a capacity for public engagement,” the council budget source says.

Just don’t expect the applause and standing ovation – at least too many times – like we did at Fanning and Dempsey.

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Originally published as HOTA plans will see it become a complete cultural precinct with new arts component