22 hours Ago By Penny Travers
Federal Labor has given the green light to a new Canberra convention centre, pledging $100 million in funding for initial planning works, as well as a new aquatic centre, if re-elected next month. While the idea of building a convention centre and new pool in Canberra's city centre is not new, it's the first time enough money has been committed to get the projects underway. The 50-50 funding agreement with the ACT government, announced during ACT Labor's election campaign launch, would see a re-elected Labor federal government chip in $31.
1 million for feasibility and design work for a Canberra convention and entertainment centre precinct. Another $68.9 million in federal funding would be spent rehoming the current Civic Pool in Commonwealth Park with the construction of a new aquatic centre, freeing up land for the convention centre.
Katy Gallagher says Canberra has "put up with a sub-par convention centre" for too long. Finance Minister and ACT Senator Katy Gallagher said both projects were greatly needed, describing Canberra as an outlier among national capitals in not having the capacity to host major international events. "The Canberra convention and entertainment centre has been kicking around for a long time now, it really needed this investment to get it to the point where we can get on with this project and have a convention centre that's worthy of the nation's capital," she said.
"I remember when we had G20 events, there simply wasn't the capacity even to hold side events in the ACT, so this has been a real missing part of our offer as the nation's capital." Hundreds of ACT Labor supporters gather for the party's 2025 federal election campaign launch. Convention centre to be built on old pool site Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the new aquatic centre would be located in Commonwealth Park near the new light rail stops currently under construction on Commonwealth Avenue.
"Replacing an aging aquatic facility, which was built for the Melbourne 1956 Olympics," he said. "What we want to see, and we will see now, is the new Canberra aquatic facility built well ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, and that then makes way for a site large enough to accommodate the new convention and entertainment centre." Andrew Barr says the new convention and entertainment centre precinct would be a "game changer" for Canberra.
Mr Barr said the funding announcement would take the convention centre project to "shovel ready" stage, and he expected the build would then cost at least $750 million. "As part of this project the city also gets an indoor entertainment venue with a capacity of around 8,000 seats," he said. "What that means is we're back on the touring schedule for live music, we can host major indoor sporting events that are just too big for the AIS Arena, and we can host a wide variety of other forms of live entertainment.
Funding welcome, but more needed: Pocock ACT independent senator David Pocock welcomed the commitment, but said he would like to see more federal funding for the capital. "While $100 million in additional funding is welcome and shows what can happen when the community votes to bring more competition into our political system, we need a bigger commitment and more comprehensive vision based on community consultation," he said. "I've consistently pushed for a new convention centre co-located with a city stadium over the past three years because of the flow-on economic benefits and efficiencies this will deliver.
"I'd like to see both major parties committing to be funding partners for the whole project, not just what appears to be a costly feasibility study." Artist's impression showing inside part of a new Canberra convention and entertainment centre. The Property Council of Australia described the funding as a "critical move to unlock the city's potential as a true national capital".
"We need infrastructure that draws people back into the heart of Canberra — this project could do exactly that," ACT executive director Ashlee Berry said. "Now we call on other parties to follow suit and commit to this vital project for Canberra's future. "This is about more than just bricks and mortar — it's about creating a city that can host major national and international events, support the visitor economy, and help bring life back into Civic.
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