2016 08 09 - S&O Agenda - Item 8, Att 2 - AEC Noosa Convention & Performing Arts Centre Pre-feasibility Review

PRE-FEASIBILITY OF CONVENTION AND PERFORMING ARTS CENTRES


      850sqm of ultra-modern conference and event space, including pre-function areas, a large flexible ballroom,
       which can be divided into three, plus a chapel making it the perfect destination for large scale meetings and
       events, and weddings.

This will be a considerable addition to high quality accommodation and conferencing/events capacity on the
Sunshine Coast, and is located within reasonable proximity of Noosa. It will have considerable advantages over
the proposed Noosa Convention Centre in that it is located closer to the airport, has beachfront access and views,
and has accommodation and attractions onsite.

The Sunshine Coast Entertainment, Convention and Exhibition Centre is proposed to be developed between 2018
and 2020 and will provide a main auditorium/arena for up to 4,500 people in theatre mode (and flexible
configurations to allow for as little as 1,000 delegates), an exhibition hall for up to 2,500 people in banquet model
and 12-15 meeting rooms with variable capacity of 20-360 people. The exhibition venue will cater to a range of
major industry, trade and public exhibitions.

Other non-accommodation conference and theatre facilities – many of which are not fit for purpose – include:

      The Events Centre, Caloundra (1,200-person theatre style, smaller playhouse configuration with 320 seats).

      Suncoast Convention Centre (Suncoast Church, Woombye) (1,200-person theatre style).

      Lake Kawana Community Centre (Main Hall – 740-person theatre style, 480-person dining + Lake View Room
       – 150-person theatre style).

      Caloundra Power Boat Club (400-person theatre style, 310-person dining).

      Coolum Civic Centre (350-person theatre style).

      Beerwah & District Community Hall (350-person theatre style).

      Sunshine Coast Function Centre (Caloundra RSL) (350-person capacity).

      Kawana Community Hall (320-person theatre style, 200-person dining).

      Maroochy Surf Club (200-person theatre style, 200-person dining).

      Sunshine Coast Turf Club (Caloundra) (170-person capacity) – $500 hire.

      The Lakehouse Sunshine Coast (Mountain Creek) (150-person capacity).

      Sunshine Coast Stadium (Kawana Sports Precinct) (120-person capacity).

The Nambour Civic Centre is no longer active and is now a cinema complex.


4.3           COMPETITORS FROM OTHER REGIONS

4.3.1         Convention/Conference Centres
In addition to competition within the local market, the proposed Convention Centre would compete with alternative
regional and metropolitan convention facilities nationwide in order to attract and retain events.

An overview of a small selection of convention centres in Queensland is presented in the table below for information
purposes. In addition to these major facilities (which offer a broad range of venue sizes and configurations), many
larger population centres also possess a range of small to medium conference venues catering specifically to the
MICE market.

Table 4.3: Other Selected Regional Convention Centres
    Venue                                           Area            Max.     Meeting         Conf.
                                                   (sqm)        Capacity     Rooms           Room
                                                               (persons)                      Hire
    Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre   10,000    Theatre 6,020         22           n.a.
                                                              Table 4,600
    Townsville Entertainment Centre                  n.a.   Theatre 5,140           2          n.a.
                                                              Table 1,768



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