Canberra moves ahead with $200 million National Convention and Entertainment Centre

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government has issued a tender for a specialist consultancy to develop a business case and reference design for a new National Convention and Entertainment Centre on the former Civic pool site in Canberra’s central business district. The project, described as a once‑in‑a‑generation infrastructure initiative, aims to attract major conferences, exhibitions, live entertainment and business events to the capital.

The ACT and federal governments have pledged a matched $200 million, with the Commonwealth contributing $100 million under the National Capital Investment Framework, including $31 million for design work. The centre is part of a broader precinct transformation that also includes a new aquatic centre, light‑rail extensions and other upgrades, though construction is not expected to begin until the next decade.