BCEC plans major expansion

MICEBTN archive stories issue 27

Friday, 09 February 2007

THE QUEENSLAND government is expected to give the go-ahead to major expansion of the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) to ensure Brisbane remains competitive in the national and international MICE sector. Premier Peter Beattie and with treasurer Anna Bligh announced funding of A$3.4 million in detailed design and planning work for a major expansion of the BCEC.

The planned expansion of the Centre’s convention facilities will target an urgent need to accommodate more conventions of 400 to 600 delegates.

Treasurer Bligh said the preliminary cost estimate of the expansion was approximately A$100 million but that a firmer cost estimate will be available once the initial design work has been completed.

“Subject to construction funding being approved by the government, the Centre could be completed in early 2009,” Bligh said.

The BCEC, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2005, went on to record its most successful year in 12 months, — financially and in the number of hosted events — in the next financial year 2005-06.

The Centre has been ranked in the top three convention centres in the world for the second time in three years.
The proposed extension to the Centre, including an additional 11 meeting rooms with accompanying break-out areas, foyer space and banqueting facilities will be located on the Grey Street side of the building facing the South Bank Flag Court.

The new construction will link to the existing building at the Plaza Level and will provide a direct interface from the Convention Centre to the South Bank Precinct on Grey Street.

BCEC general manager, Robert O’Keeffe said the two new tiered plenary auditoria will provide much needed facilities to accommodate an increasing demand for concurrent conventions of up to 600 delegates.

“This expansion of the Centre’s convention facilities will provide us with the infrastructure to host an additional 50,000 international and national delegates in the first five years with significant economic impact to Brisbane.
The operation of the Brisbane Convention Centre already contributes more than $200 million to the Queensland economy each year,” O’Keeffe said.   

He said the design work was expected to commence immediately and completed within a six months time frame.