Queensland’s new flagship performing arts centre to cost $189 million, budget reveals

Building Queensland’s new flagship performing arts centre will cost an extra $9m, taking the total cost to $189m, the state budget has revealed.

Queensland Performing Arts Centre at South Bank in Brisbane. Picture Lachie Millard

Building Queensland’s new flagship performing arts centre will cost an extra $9m, according to the budget.

The Courier-Mail last month revealed a four-year delay to the project and now it can be revealed the state contribution will rise $9m to $159m.

With a $25m contribution by the Queensland Performing Arts Trust, the total cost of the project rises to $189m.

The new performing arts venue at QPAC was announced in 2018 by the Palaszczuk Government and was originally set to open in 2022 at a cost of $150m.

The Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick announcing the 2024/2025 state budget. Picture: Dan Peled / NewsWire

But flooding in 2022 pushed the centre’s opening to mid-2024-2026 and rose the initial cost of the project to $175 million.

Meanwhile, the government said it was unaware how much of its contribution to the project would now cost last month due to its delays which has now been unveiled as $159 million.

Major contractor Lendlease blamed the latest delay on “a number of challenges” including weather, supply chain pressures and major subcontractor insolvencies.

“Work is currently underway to review any cost implications of Lendlease’s updated program,” an Arts Queensland spokeswoman said.

Upon completion, the centre is expected to facilitate an extra 260 performances and 300,000 visitors to QPAC each year.

When completed, QPAC will feature five venues.