LOSING OUT ON CASH
THE Gold Coast will continue to lose “tens of millions of dollars” annually unless its convention centre is expanded.
Destination Gold Coast chief executive Annaliese Battista said the proposed $85 million upgrade – which has been stalled for more than a year – could no longer wait.
“The amount of business we are turning away because of the limited capacity of our convention centre is in the tens of millions of dollars,’’ she said.
THE Gold Coast will continue to lose “tens of millions of dollars” annually unless its convention centre is expanded.
That’s the message from the city’s tourism boss who has thrown her weight behind a push to upgrade the 15-yearold building.
The Bulletin yesterday revealed that political and business leaders were putting pressure on the State Government to revamp the building.
The proposed $85 million upgrade has been stalled for more than a year. But Destination Gold Coast chief executive Annaliese Battista said the project could not wait.
“Right now the Gold Coast has 44 per cent of all conferences and meetings in Queensland. We punch way above out weight,” she said.
“The amount of business we are turning away because of the limited capacity of our convention centre is in the tens of millions of dollars.
“Conventions and business events were worth $540 million to the Gold Coast economy in the past financial year according to conservative estimates. It is a no-brainer.”
The proposed stage three upgrade would see the Broadbeach complex’s size increase by 30 per cent.
This would allow for a 1500sq m convention hall and areas which could provide the opportunity to host smaller meetings.
Early planning is understood to have taken place, with some conceptual plans drawn up by architects.
The project missed out on funding in this year’s State Budget to the disappointment of tourism bosses.
Broadbeach Alliance chief Jan McCormick backed the revamp.
“The events industry is really significant and it fills the gaps between the school holiday periods,” she said. “In Broadbeach you can see the number of people just surges when there is a big conference on.”