Infrastructure NSW announced today that the interim exhibition facility on Glebe Island will be bigger than planned and has been designed to meet the requirements of Sydney’s valuable exhibition and event industry.
Sydney Harbour Expo @Glebe Island has been selected as the preferred tenderer to build, operate and remove the interim facility, which will host exhibitions and events during construction of the Sydney International Convention, Exhibition and Entertainment Precinct (SICEEP) at Darling Harbour between late 2013 to late 2016.
Sydney Harbour Expo @Glebe Island is the company formed by the leading event and equipment hire company, Pages, to deliver Glebe Island Expo.
Pages, which has developed its own in-house design and manufacturing capability, has been a highly successful supplier of event infrastructure in Australia and internationally since 1957.
Infrastructure NSW Project Director Tim Parker said, with Pages on board, we are able to create a fully-enclosed and fully-serviced, marquee-style structure of 25,000 sqm - almost replicating the current exhibition space at Darling Harbour.
“Previously, we asked tenderers for 15,000 sqm of enclosed space, with the extra 10,000 sqm to be available on a temporary basis for the larger shows,” Mr Parker said.
“The plan to have one large space undercover was developed in consultation with and endorsed by the major exhibition organisers that use the current facilities in Darling Harbour. It can be provided at the same cost to the NSW Government.
“Glebe Island will be able to accommodate Sydney’s major exhibitions, which attract more than 500,000 visitors and generate more than $100 million in economic benefit each year.
“We are proposing a strong focus on public transport to Glebe Island Expo. We will introduce shuttle services to Glebe Island on event days – including ferries from Darling Harbour and buses from the CBD.
“This facility is part of a city-wide interim solution which will keep our important conference, meeting and exhibition industry open for business to ensure Sydney remains the number one choice for events during the SICEEP construction period.
“Our interim solution will provide a platform for transition when the new, world-class facilities at Darling Harbour open in late 2016,” Mr Parker said.
Glebe Island Expo will:
-Provide 25,000 sqm of exhibition space.
-Be a destination for local and international visitors, capitalising on the proximity to Sydney Harbour.
-Deliver the experience of a more permanent facility through a uniquely designed solution.
Provide access for loading, private vehicles, ferries and shuttle buses
Glebe Island's role as an important port facility will continue while Glebe Island Expo is in use. Port activities will continue once the temporary facility is removed when the new convention, exhibition and entertainment facilities open late 2016.
The target for development consent is March 2013, with construction commencing mid next year.
Bookings for Sydney Harbour Expo are currently coordinated through Business Events Sydney, and the transition to the new operator will happen in March 2013.
