Canberra’s Convention and Entertainment Centre has cleared a major hurdle: the ACT Government completed the first stage of its funding agreement with the Commonwealth.
The precinct — estimated to cost $750 million — will be built on the site of the Canberra Olympic Pool in Civic. It would include an 8,000-seat entertainment venue and sit alongside the new UNSW Canberra City Campus, which is already under construction and will eventually accommodate around 6,000 students and staff.
The federal government last year committed $31.1 million through the National Capital Investment Framework to ready the site for construction. The ACT Government will now move to procure a reference design, with a full project business case expected by mid-2028. A public-private partnership model is being considered for delivery.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the project — a key element of the ACT Government’s long‑term economic strategy to grow non‑government sectors and attract more people, businesses, and events to Canberra — demonstrates the ACT and Federal Governments working together.
“Canberra needs a larger, modern convention and entertainment facility that can both meet future demand for business events and open more opportunities to host live music and entertainment in a large indoor venue.
“The existing convention centre is very busy and cannot meet future demand. A larger convention centre and entertainment centre will enable more, and bigger, events to be held in Canberra.
“This joint Territory and Federal Government investment will deliver a major city-shaping project that stimulates economic growth, supports business, grows more local jobs, and helps create a livelier city centre.”
Next steps include detailed design, securing planning approvals, and continuing industry and stakeholder engagement as the project moves towards construction readiness.
The Property Council of Australia also welcomed the milestone, saying the project would be a major economic catalyst for the city and a critical piece of future CBD infrastructure.
ACT Executive Director Ashlee Berry said: “Canberra has outgrown its existing convention centre. A larger, modern facility will allow the city to attract more major conferences, exhibitions and entertainment events that currently bypass the capital.
“The economic impact of business events is significant. Visitors stay longer, spend more across hotels, restaurants and local businesses, and help support jobs across the city.”
The Property Council welcomed the partnership between the ACT and Commonwealth governments, including support through the National Capital Investment Framework.
“Joint investment from the Territory and the Commonwealth is exactly what a city-shaping project like this requires,” Ms Berry said. “It shows both levels of government recognise the importance of strengthening Canberra’s visitor economy and diversifying the Territory’s economic base.”
The Property Council also backed the ACT Government’s decision to explore a range of delivery models as part of the business case process, including a potential public-private partnership.
“Major civic infrastructure projects work best when governments keep an open mind about delivery models. Testing options such as a PPP can help bring private sector expertise and investment to the table while delivering value for taxpayers.”
Ms Berry said the new centre would play a key role in shaping a broader innovation and events precinct emerging in the south-east of the CBD.
“Alongside the new UNSW Canberra City Campus, this project has the potential to transform this part of the city centre into a vibrant destination for education, events and culture.”
“With the first milestone now complete, it is important the project continues to move forward with momentum so Canberra can realise the economic and community benefits of a new convention and entertainment precinct.”
The Property Council’s ACT Hotels and Tourism Outlook at East Hotel in Kingston on 1 April will focus on tourism and hotels in Canberra’s economy. Visit the website for more details.
