Gold Coast tourism: why a convention centre upgrade tops everyone’s list of priorities

The State Government is pinning its hopes on the global tourism hub process being the catalyst for much needed convention centre expansion on the Gold Coast.

DESTINATION Gold Coast CEO Annaliese Battista warns the city loses tens of millions a year due to lack of convention space and an upgrade would be a bargain.

Ms Battista says lack of capacity remains a “hurdle”, citing “much-needed expansion of the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre”.

An expansion of the State Government-owned facility, managed by Star Gold Coast, has been costed at $85 million which Ms Battista called a “bargain considering the lost opportunity”.

“The centre is largely at capacity and the city’s business events efforts to attract larger national and international conventions are reduced without an urgent upgrade,” she wrote.

“The lack of space means the Gold Coast is turning away tens of millions every year.”

The walkway from the casino to the Gold Coast Convention Centre. Barry Beveridge, Robina.

All up the city business events sector is worth $540 million annually with delegates spending three times more than others.

The Labor State Government hopes its Global Tourism Hub process for developing a second casino resort will be the catalyst for more convention space.

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Government sources suggest the trade-off for a second casino in the city on public land could include new convention space.

State Government views Gold Coasters in a win-win situation because the alternative will be Star continuing with its monopoly and upgrading the Broadbeach site.

Despite a chorus of tourism leaders saying extra convention space was a priority, the upgrade of the Broadbeach convention centre did not get funding in this year’s State Budget.

Star Entertainment Group Queensland managing director Geoff Hogg said no discussion had been held with State Government about expanding the Broadbeach convention centre: “We agree the opportunity to expand the centre could be really important for the city.”

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The Australasian Real Estate Conference held at the Convention Centre. Pic: Mike Batterham.

Asked if he felt the State Government was trying to get its “pound of flesh” or a centre upgrade out of Star by threatening it with the GTH process, Mr Hogg replied: “From our perspective it is an exciting time for the city to grow — the convention centre is a great facility and will need expanded at some point.

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“It’s very difficult for me to talk about GTH and what others might offer but we are committed and would like certainty to plan our future and continue to invest in more infrastructure that drives tourism,” Mr Hogg said.

Star has repeatedly called for “certainty" around the gaming resort market in the city as it proceeds with its $2 billion master plan at its island site.

Tourism operators know the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, with lettable space of more than 33,000 square metres, is gaining delegates who would prefer to the visit the Coast.

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Tourism Industry Development Kate Jones at the Australia Decides Eurovision stage at the Gold Coast Convention Centre. Picture: Jerad Williams.

Lettable space at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre is 4000 square metres.

Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones: “Conventions are big business for the Gold Coast.

“Since the Commonwealth Games, we’ve seen huge growth in this sector and great demand for existing events to expand.

“To see that growth continue, we need to see strong investment in convention space. That’s why — through the GTH process — we’ve reached out to the private sector to ensure any new world-class integrated resort development solves this growing challenge.”

A proposed stage three upgrade of the Broadbeach convention centre would see it increase 30 per cent, with a 1500 sqm convention hall and areas for smaller meetings.

In 2018, it hosted 150 events and injected $360 million in economic growth.