New plans for a refreshed waterfront precinct were unveiled last week, as the Western Australian Government entered negotiations to redevelop the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre (PCEC).
PCEC was built in 2004 with a lease held by Wyllie and Brookfield until 2039. Wyllie and Brookfield, while working with the State Government, have identified an opportunity to redevelop the precinct.
A concept proposal has been submitted by Wyllie and Brookfield, and the State Government is now formally evaluating the proposal for the future of the PCEC.
The proposal would create an iconic waterfront precinct on the Swan River, with a world-class and highly competitive convention space to attract major business events to Western Australia.
It would deliver a new tourism and hospitality hub for Perth which includes improving connectivity to Elizabeth Quay, showcasing the Swan River and Kings Park, and delivering a new public realm including outdoor theatre on the Swan, as well as new public waterfront facilities and new F&B venues.
The existing Convention Centre building would be significantly refurbished to increase capacity and capability to attract new major business events, while development opportunities would be provided for a new premium hotel, residential apartments across the affordability and accessibility spectrum, and commercial and innovation space.
Early estimates, based on an independent economic study, indicate the redevelopment would provide billions of dollars in economic benefit to the State, driving significant tourism and hospitality activity for Western Australia. In addition, the proposed redevelopment would unlock a new pipeline of construction jobs for the future and create new local jobs across a diverse range of industries.
Western Australia’s tourism minister, Rita Saffioti, said: “This is a massive opportunity to transform our city’s waterfront and truly cement our status as a world-class destination to visit and do business.
“A redeveloped PCEC will be particularly important in attracting major business events to our city, which would be huge for our local economy in bringing more visitors strong business events tourism will help underpin further tourism investment in this State.”
A business case for the redevelopment will now be finalised and presented to the State Government for evaluation in mid-2024.
