Gold Coast Convention Centre: $750m push to double size of precinct

The Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre would be doubled in size to give promoters a 12,000-seat stadium to entice the world’s biggest entertainers. DETAILS >>>

THE Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre would be doubled in size to give promoters a 12,000-seat stadium to bring the biggest entertainers in the world to the city.

The floor space would also double to attract the world’s biggest conventions and conferences under the plan being proposed by Brisbane’s king of entertainment, Harvey Lister.

The “crowning glory’’ would be a 2000-seat ballroom, which would be the permanent home of the Logies, and other major events.

Civic, political and business leaders – except Mayor Tom Tate - say the convention centre proposal is a “no-brainer’’ and it would take the city to another level in attracting big events.

It would also kickstart a major accommodation and retail development directly across the road, which includes a plan for multiple towers.

The proposal would be funded on the same model as that being undertaken for the 17,000-seat Brisbane Live project at Roma Street, with the state government underwriting the $750m project.

Gold Coast Events Precinct concept. Picture: ASM Global

Central to the concept is the “Event Deck’’ – a spectacular arrival and entry space for the new Gold Coast Events Precinct that spans halfway across the existing highway.

The project would mean the doubling of the light rail corridor by realigning its route to be consistent with its existing western alignment past The Star casino complex, through to new double-length arrival/departure platforms.

Mr Lister said Broadbeach was “by far the best site for such a venue centrally located on the Gold Coast close to thousands of hotel rooms, restaurants and bars, Star Casino and Pacific Fair’’.

“The site will also soon be connected north and south by Gold Coast light rail, possibly the most important feature of this site given its proximity to existing and planned light rail and bus routes,’’ he said.

City tourism bosses have long agitated for the redevelopment and increase in size of the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre so it can host bigger conferences attracting high-yielding tourists.

Star in 2019 made a $100m offer to fund the upgrade in exchange for a casino monopoly in the city, but this was taken off the table in early 2020 after talks with the state government broke down.

Chief Executive of ASM Harvey Lister at Suncorp Stadium. Picture: Jerad Williams

Tourism bosses warned the city would continue to miss out on tens of millions of dollars from the lucrative concern market the longer the expansion of the 17-year-old building was put off.

John Potter, who has the parcel of land across the road, said Broadbeach was the logical place for the project.

“It’s becoming the heart of the city,’’ he said.

Mayor Tom Tate said the Gold Coast needed big ideas, but he could not support the project.

“What concerns me is the lack of consultation and the quality of what is being proposed,’’ he said.

“In my humble opinion, it’s not for us.’’

Gold Coast Destination chief executive Patricia O’Callaghan said attracting major events was a key part of the city’s economic makeup.

One of the country’s biggest promoters, TEG chief executive Geoff Jones, also a Titans board member, said Broadbeach was an outstanding site.

“That light rail link is crucial because it’s been a big success and people will use that rather than risk getting caught in a carpark jam,’’ he said.

“The Gold Coast has proven it will come out for tier-one acts like Queen, Kiss and Guns N’ Roses,’’ he said.

“A 12,000-seat arena would bring the tier-one acts. You’ve also got such a big catchment area for people with northern NSW and Brisbane.

“This really stacks up from our perspective.’’

Broadbeach has been labelled an “outstanding site” for the project. Picture: Alex Coppel.

The plan includes three dedicated exhibition halls comprising 7500sq m of floor space, giving the arena about 11,300sq m and, when further combined with the flat floor of the adjoining new arena, a total exhibition capability across the complex of 14,000sq m.

“The crowning glory for the new complex would be a spectacular rooftop level ‘grand ballroom’ enabling the hosting of major banquets, charity balls and televised awards events for up to 2000 people,’’ he said.

There would be 14 dedicated meeting rooms of varying sizes, grouped in clusters over three self-contained conference levels, plus six boardrooms for corporate events.

The concept would enable the Gold Coast to bid to host the largest of international conferences and corporate incentive groups. E-sports, massive in the United States, would be targeted.