- Arts and business facilities
- This chapter explores the importance of art and business facilities in fostering and promoting the significance of Australia’s National Capital and discusses the state of existing infrastructure to facilitate this. Three art and business facilities are examined namely the National Convention Centre, the Canberra Theatre Centre, and Stage 88.
Importance of facilities
5.2Canberra is well placed to host international business and government leaders’ events. The National Capital is home to an innovative business community, is the Seat of Government and the location of a wide portfolio of government departments and agencies. However, the Committee heard that the city’s potential is not fully realised due to the limitations of Canberra’s convention infrastructure, leading to missed opportunities in soft diplomacy and to promote the National Capital.
5.3The Canberra Convention Bureau emphasised the value of business events to the Capital. It stated that business events, particularly international ones, ‘attract delegates that would not visit our capital otherwise’, support Canberra’s tourism and economy, raise the city’s profile and contribute to Australia’s soft diplomacy. In particular, Mr Michael Matthews, Chief Executive Officer, Canberra Convention Bureau, stated that ‘business events are widely recognised as leading to things like innovation, investment, and repeat visitation, particularly internationally’.
5.4Ms Kareena Arthy, Deputy Director-General, Economic Development, ACT Government, similarly highlighted the business market potential of Canberra. Ms Arthy stated:
We know that people come here to the nation's capital to meet. That is what Canberra means—meeting place. So we know that there is enormous potential to grow that meeting and business visitor market.
5.5Mr Tristan Hoffmeister, President of the NCAA, emphasised the potential for synergies between business and arts facilities in attracting visitors and audiences:
I don't think the business audience is an audience that would be disinterested in what we have on offering in town as well. We can connect to those clients or that audience with our offerings and our cultural institutions. We can provide opportunities to enhance that experience, to provide team building and things for conferences, and provide breakout things for conferences. Again, it builds in the significance of us as a national capital—a national capital should have the infrastructure to host national events.
5.6Mr Hoffmeister noted however that Canberra does not currently have the capacity to host large‑scale national events, whether government or private.
National Convention Centre Canberra
5.7Located on Constitution Avenue in Civic, the National Convention Centre opened in 1989 and was refurbished in 2007 and 2017. It has a capacity of 2500 delegates and 2000 square metres of exhibition space.
5.8A major redevelopment is planned for the National Convention Centre, which includes over $500 million of investment over five to 15 years. This is set out in the ACT Government’s Infrastructure Plan.
5.9Mr Michael Matthews, Chief Executive Officer of the Canberra Convention Bureau, provided an overview of the market for business events:
The Canberra Convention Bureau is an organisation that has about 140 members based here in the Territory that rely on us to compete for business events. When I say 'compete', every city of a certain size has one of us, not just in Australia but around the world—Adelaide, Perth, Hobart. We try and move the business events around the country. It's associations, not-for-profits and corporate. In addition, we compete for business events internationally globally.
5.10Demand for convention space in Canberra is higher than would be expected based on the city’s population alone. This is due to Canberra being the National Capital and home to the Australian Parliament, government agencies, Defence, and similar entities.
5.11The Canberra Convention Bureau highlighted that the current facility ‘is thesecond oldest in the country and the only one that has not had its footprint expanded since construction’. The Canberra Convention Bureau noted that Canberra’s investment in business events infrastructure is lower than that of many Australian and New Zealand cities, including Darwin and Cairns which both have much larger convention centres.
5.12Improvements to Canberra’s event-hosting capacity would provide local economic benefits and enhance Canberra’s standing as the National Capital. Mr Matthews outlined that business events contributed $1.12 billion to the ACT economy in 2019 (taken to be a typical year prior to COVID-19), including income from sources such as travel and hotels as well as the convention centre itself. Mr Matthews believed there is potential to double this figure.
5.13Dr Marshall, Chair of the Canberra Region Tourism Leaders Forum, agreed that the lost economic opportunity was significant and ‘over years, it would have to be hundreds of millions of dollars’. Further, Dr Marshall suggested this loss was difficult to quantify, ‘because a lot of conference organisers and associations just bypass Canberra now anyway, because they know the conference centre’s too small or it’s not up to the standard that’s now required’.
Capacity and use
5.14Issues with the current convention centre limit Canberra’s capacity to host events, which impacts the city. The Canberra Convention Bureau stated:
Other cities in Australia are used to host international meetings of significance. Canberra is not widely known as the Capital.
5.15The physical size of the National Convention Centre is a limitation in meeting demand. The Canberra Convention Bureau noted that the ‘effective peak capacity for a convention is 1200-1500 delegates if they can accept the revenue and engagement limitations of a very small exhibition space’, and that some event owners’ resort to expensive alternatives such as marquees.
5.16In terms of use, the current Convention Centre is at capacity. The Committee heard that ‘Canberra can only hold one conference at a time, which means one large conference a week’. Mr Matthews observed that Canberra should be hosting two events a week with current demand, noting ‘we're at capacity, and we've been at functional capacity in the ACT since 2012. We operate 265 days a year’.
5.17Ms Arthy similarly identified the venue’s inability to handle more than one event at a time as the main constraint. The ACT Government’s Infrastructure Plan noted that in 2018 and 2019, the National Convention Centre reached 99% and 100% capacity, respectively, and it is already back to that capacity following the disruption of recent years.
5.18Mr Matthews asserted that the available exhibition space is limited compared to other venues across Australia. While describing the Convention Centre’s theatre capacity of 2,448 as ‘not too bad’, Mr Matthews recommended that the exhibition space should be increased from 2,000 square metres to at least 10,000 square metres. For comparison, ‘the ICC in Sydney has 35,000 square metres’. Ms Arthy also noted that the exhibition space is a constraint and may particularly limit the capacity to host ‘large defence-related conferences’.
5.19Another major issue highlighted was the inflexibility of the venue. The Canberra Convention Bureau provided examples of venues in Adelaide and Melbourne that can be reconfigured to host different types and sizes of events. It also noted that the venue is ageing and requires significant ongoing investment to remain operational, most recently this included ‘a multi-million-dollar upgrade to the HVAC system to keep heat on in winter, with no appreciable improvement to the functional visitor experience’.
Security
5.20Any new or upgraded centre will require high security standards. The Canberra Convention Bureau observed that security, both physical and cyber, would be essential to enable a venue to host high-level international meetings. DrDavid Marshall, Chair of the Canberra Region Tourism Leaders Forum, also commented on security, stating:
It should be the most secure meeting facility in Australia, able to host, again, world leaders, forums for security and defence services, conferences and exhibitions—highly sensitive national and international forums.
5.21Mr Michael Matthews noted how these logistical and security issues limit Canberra’s ability to host high-level international events:
Our understanding is that there is some interest federally for city building projects, which will better enable the Commonwealth to host the sorts of things that a capital city should host. COP would be a great example. We could not host that. There are other G20-type things that we can't host from a logistics standpoint let alone a security standpoint.
Location
5.22The current convention centre’s location was identified as a limitation, compared to other venues. Mr Michael Matthews informed the Committee:
Also think about the facility where it sits. It's a great centre and it's operated very well. It sits wedged in between apartments and across the road from a car park and a highway. Have a look at the convention centres around the world. Look at Vancouver, which is perched over the ocean looking over the mountains. Look at Sydney and Darling Harbour or Adelaide, by the river. We have a facility that was a bit of an afterthought, and we do very well all things considered, but it's not the sort of venue you're going to invite the world to.
5.23Mr Matthews outlined a vision for a new convention venue which included a flexible space that can facilitate multiple events. It was recommended that the space be at least 10,000 square metres and the theatre should have a capacity of 3,000 people. Mr Matthews also raised the need to have modern spaces where people can engage; this can include informal spaces such as crush areas and outdoor spaces in prominent locations that demonstrate ‘the best of what the Capital has to offer’.
5.24Dr Marshall argued that the Convention Centre should be a landmark building, noting that ‘every global city usually has a very impressive convention facility’.[34]
5.25The Canberra Convention Bureau suggested that federal funding would be appropriate for constructing a new, secure convention facility suitable for international meetings. It stated:
We encourage the Federal Government to consider the platform that business events provide for hosting our regional international neighbours to our capital, and for the bonds that can only be forged through meeting in-person and working together on the shared problems that our region is facing.
5.26The Canberra Convention Bureau outlined best practices for convention centres worldwide, including adaptability, security, sustainability, and a good location. It highlighted various new facilities in New Zealand and a new convention centre in Calgary, Alberta, Canada as examples.
5.27From a practical perspective, the ACT Government’s Infrastructure Plan noted the need for an appropriately planned transition to a new facility:
Interim upgrades to maintain the functionality of the existing NCC may be needed to ensure there is no gap in the availability of convention facilities.
5.28Ms Arthy informed the Committee that the ACT Government is aware that the convention centre is at capacity and the main issue being considered was the scale of a future facility.
Canberra Theatre Centre
5.29Opened in 1965, the Canberra Theatre Centre (CTC) is a performing arts centre located in Civic. It includes three venues:
- The Canberra Theatre: 1,239 seats.
- The Playhouse: 614 seats.
- The Courtyard Studio: up to 92 patrons.
- In terms of performances per year, the CTC is at capacity. Mr Gordon Ramsay, Chief Executive Officer of the Cultural Facilities Corporation, suggested there is interest in Canberra from theatre and music producers, due to venue ‘bottlenecks’ across Australia.
- A major redevelopment is planned for the CTC. This is noted in the ACT Government’s Infrastructure Plan,and the proposed redevelopment would increase the capacity across the venues from 2,000 to 5,000 people.
- The redevelopment is to include:
- A new 2,000 seat lyric theatre (type of theatre suitable for circus, musicals, ballet) comparable in scale to the largest theatres in Australia.
- A refurbishment of the Playhouse.
- Adapting the existing Canberra Theatre to become a contemporary flexible venue able to host a broad range of performances, concerts, and events.
- Expanding the Courtyard Studio to accommodate a diverse range of activity with flexible seating and open plan theatrical space able to host performances, workshops, and open plan creativity.
- The redeveloped theatre would form part of a ‘Canberra Civic and Culture District’. Mr Ramsay described the CTC as the flagship of the broader cultural district.
- The total cost for the redevelopment is estimated at $250-500 million, with construction to commence in 2024–25. The ACT Government has committed $33.6 million in funding for detailed design and community consultation for the major redevelopment and expansion of the CTC over the next two years.
- Economically, Mr Ramsay suggested that the new venue would have ‘very significant visitor economy potential for the Capital’, with modelling suggesting a ‘return on investment of tens of millions of dollars per year in the ACT's economy’.
- Stakeholders emphasised how this new theatre complex would have national significance and would elevate Canberra’s profile as the National Capital. This included through its role as a venue for performances, as well as a development space for new works. Mr Ramsay noted that currently Canberra does not have much production of performance works, other than that of the Canberra Symphony Orchestra.
- The Cultural Facilities Corporation highlighted the potential for the complex to foster new work reflecting ‘the unique cultural identity of Australia’ and ‘the exploration of important social and political issues’. It will also ‘showcase the diversity and richness of Australian culture and its place in the global community’.
- The ACT Government suggested that emphasising cultural diversity in performing arts in Canberra would be of national significance due to Canberra’s role as the National Capital:
A renewed CTC would be a heartbeat of unity and inspiration both for the city and nation, presenting and creating work that redefines the possibilities of Australian cultural identity … The national cultural institutions have a key role to play in representing cultural diversity. For Canberra to effectively reflect the character, values, and identity of Australia, it is necessary that all cultures be represented in the nation’s capital.
5.39Mr Ramsay told the Committee that limitations of the existing CTC mean that certain performances cannot be staged in Canberra. Mr Budd, Director of the Canberra Theatre Centre, noted that without ‘a large venue with a sophisticated large stage’, Canberra lacks the ability to host large musicals. Such events ‘fund the more delicate and smaller‑scale work’, such as ‘new works development and audience development’ and ‘telling Canberra stories or stories of national importance from the National Capital’.
5.40Evidence noted the potential for expanded performing arts offerings to address a gap in evening experiences for visitors, including for school students, to engage them with the National Capital. Dr Brooke Thomas, Director of Collaboration and Engagement, Cultural Facilities Corporation, told the Committee:
[A] world-class performing arts expression of the national stories, particularly first nations stories, has an opportunity to be a strong complement to the existing daytime offering of the national cultural institutions. This was linking to the point about our coordinating work with them. At the moment there is no signature night-time complement to a visitor's experience attending the national cultural institutions. There's a gap in terms of that visitor experience, that telling of the Capital's story, the opportunity to invite that visitor spend at present, because we don't have that extensive night-time performing arts experience that would enhance the visitor experience and generate more local economic stimulation.
5.41The ACT Government and Cultural Facilities Corporation asserted that Federal Government funding would be appropriate and will continue to be sought for the CTC redevelopment. Mr Ramsay, explained:
The work happening in relation to the redevelopment of the Canberra Theatre Centre over coming years is a matter of significance not only for the Canberra community, for the ACT community, but also for Canberra's role as the National Capital, and we believe there is a sound case for federal government investment as part of that, and as part of the fostering of not only the arts and culture of the ACT but also of Australia.
5.42Mr Ramsay, emphasised that the importance of Australia having first-class production of live performances in its National Capital is something which cannot be underestimated.
Stage 88
5.43Stage 88 is a permanent, open-air venue located in Commonwealth Park in central Canberra. It was opened in 1988 and has capacity for 12,000 people. The venue ‘hosts several sporting, cultural, and musical events throughout the year’.
5.44The NCA is currently undertaking a planning process for Commonwealth Park. The NCA noted the current use and future potential of Stage 88:
The success of Spilt Milk and other events has demonstrated that Commonwealth Park, with Stage 88, has the potential to become a significant events destination and attractor to the city. Summer touring concerts such as those held in regional vineyards or showgrounds could be accommodated in Commonwealth Park. Were Stage 88 to have an enlarged stage area, larger canopy, improved artists facilities along with improved engineering infrastructure, it could become a hub for summer outdoor entertainment, and attractive to well‑known artists likely to be drawcards for greater visitors to Canberra.
5.45A scoping study provided by the NCA highlights the current limitations of Stage 88, which include:
- a canopy which is too low;
- lacking back of house facilities;
- no loading dock;
- columns in sight lines;
- no side wings; and
- dilapidated infrastructure.
- These issues limit the venue capacity and lead to expenses and inconvenience for artists. For example, there is a need to modify performances to suit the low canopy and lighting truss, and to construct a temporary dock, and side wings.
- Current issues with Stage 88 also limit the types of events that can be hosted and impacts the surrounding park. The NCA described various logistical issues for both artists and attendees:
Preliminary studies in the past have identified that Stage 88 does not meet the needs of touring artists—limitations include its small stage, low roof height and inadequate artist facilities. Also, the area for patrons does not have the infrastructure necessary to support concessions, ticketing, or toilets.
5.48Mr Hamid Heydarian, highlighted another issue with Stage 88’s location during the annual Floriade festival held in Commonwealth Park. Mr Heydarian noted that Floriade ‘locks up Stage 88 from being accessed’. Catering for separate concurrent events at both venues has been a consideration in the NCA’s review of Commonwealth Park, as well as facilitating a permanent placement for Floriade so that annual digging and reshaping is not required.
5.49Similar to other venues discussed in this report, Stage 88’s issues are causing the facility to miss out on events. According to Mr Andrew Smith, Chief Planner of the NCA:
It's really just not suitable to attract big artists. The people who do come tend to have some personal affection for the city of Canberra. It's not a facility that will attract a mid-tier artist who might be doing a summer performance. It's just too hard to service. It's too small to stage. Their lighting expectations can't be met. So, if we are to continue to have that facility as something that attracts visitors from the region for concerts, we do need to do something there.
5.50The NCA stated that concept plans for upgrades to Commonwealth Park and Stage88 had not yet been released for public consultation. However, Mr Smith provided the Committee with an update on what the NCA is considering during its Biannual Briefing on 9 February 2023, including:
- replacement of the current stage with a formalised bowl or sculpture stage;
- upgraded functions and events infrastructure;
- upgrades to road networks into the park;
- new scaled seating; and
- infrastructure upgrades to accommodate other events being held simultaneously but separate from Floriade.
Committee comment
5.51Arts and business facilities in the ACT have the dual purpose of serving the needs of ACT residents and surrounding populations while promoting Canberra as the National Capital. Various artists and performers are attracted to holding events in the National Capital, producing and telling Australian stories and contributing to its cultural heritage. Cultural arts events serve to fill a gap in the visitor program across Canberra which can be lacking in the evenings.
5.52Canberra is home to an innovative business community, is the seat of Government and the location of a wide portfolio of government departments and agencies. It is an important destination host events and meetings. The flow on benefits from hosting national and international conferences is realised when visitors extend their stay in the National Capital to experience other parts of the city, including its cultural institutions.
5.53The Committee acknowledges the demand for meetings and forums to be held in Canberra. Yet it is disappointed that Canberra cannot support all these events and the current centre is at capacity. It is similarly disappointed that the National Capital cannot offer comparable facilities to some of Australia’s regional areas which accommodate much smaller populations. Improvements to existing facilities will go a long way to meet and possibly exceed current demand, bringing economic and tourism benefits, and raising Canberra’s profile as a destination for business events.
5.54It is reasonable to expect that a nation’s capital would have secure state-of-the-art conference and performance facilities to host the range of meetings and events that stakeholders would like to host. The National Convention Centre and the Canberra Theatre Centre have been identified for redevelopment in the ACT Government’s Infrastructure Plan. When redeveloping these facilities, the Committee encourages the ACT Government to consider the capacity of the centres and the needs of its primary users to ensure that it can support national and international functions as well as accommodate a variety of performances that play in major Australian cities.
5.55The Committee acknowledges the current scoping study for Stage 88. The purpose and attractiveness of the venue to artists should be considered when identifying the best redevelopment option.
5.56The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government fund the development of the National Convention Centre to support national and international meetings of business, community and government, and to increase visitation to the National Capital.
5.57The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government work with the ACT Government to assist with the redevelopment of, and investment in, the Canberra Theatre Centre.
5.58The Committee recommends that the National Capital Authority upgrade Stage88 to attract performers outside of the Territory and maximise the potential of the venue to host a broader range of events and performances.