A concept image for the proposed Canberra Convention Centre and Entertainment Precinct. Image: ACT Government.
A pot of federal money is available for states and territories planning new urban precincts – and the ACT is seeking its fair share for three significant projects.
In July, the Commonwealth opened the $150 million urban Precincts and Partnerships Program (uPPP), a scheme to support planning and delivery of urban precincts.
Top of the list for the ACT Government is the proposed Canberra Convention and Entertainment Centre Precinct on the Civic Pool site. It will include a 8000-seat auditorium for major touring concerts and indoor sports such as basketball, netball and tennis.
The government has joined with Canberra Convention Bureau, Canberra Business Chamber and Canberra Region Tourism Leaders Forum to apply for the maximum $5 million in funding available from Stream One of the uPPP.
A government spokesperson said if successful this amount would help advance the planning stage of the project.
“Funding for the convention and entertainment centre would be a strong signal that the Australian Government is prepared to share responsibility for the infrastructure our growing city needs,” the spokesperson said.
Earlier in the year Chief Minister Andrew Barr wrote to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese under the National Capital Investment Framework requesting a 50/50 funding split on the development of a new convention precinct ahead of the May Federal Budget.
That did not eventuate. But the spokesperson confirmed the government was still pursuing a 50/50 partnership with the Commonwealth, although it was also considering a range of ways to fund the precinct’s construction.
The goal is for the new precinct and its combined multi-use venues, including the convention centre and multi-purpose indoor entertainment pavilion, to support economic growth and tourism by attracting larger-scale and simultaneous conference, live music and performance events to Canberra.
The government is also developing an application for the Southern Gateway Planning and Design Framework identified as a priority project for the Territory Planning Authority, and the Kingston Rail Precinct as part of the East Lake and Causeway renewal program.
The Southern Gateway Planning and Design Framework will establish an integrated land-use and transport plan for the extension of a light rail line to Woden, including the development of 1300 homes on the North Curtin horse paddocks.
The railway precinct’s transport hub would include a mix of commercial, residential and public buildings mostly ranging from four to six storeys but with eight-storey marker developments in strategic locations.
The East Lake Place Plan 2024 envisages a multi-modal transport hub and a mix of multi-storey commercial, residential and public buildings.
The uPPP has two streams – the first for precinct development and planning with project funding of $500,000 to $5 million for master planning, consultation, design, business cases and partnership establishment.
Stream Two is for precinct delivery, with project funding of $5m to $50m available to help deliver a specified project or projects as part of a precinct.
“This could include enabling public infrastructure (roads, pathways, underground infrastructure), open spaces between elements, or a particular building/s that is the catalyst for, or complements, other investment within a precinct,” the program information reads.
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