Cairns Convention Centre will be bigger and better than ever, following a $176 million project to expand and redevelop the venue.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has today revealed the latest drawings for the new centre, which include a new tropical-themed entrance and Sky Terrace offering views of Trinity Inlet.

The plans are a significant step forward for the expansion project, which was originally reported by Spice News in June 2017.

With the project set to add 570 jobs to the region, the Premier welcomed the next step for the centre’s redevelopment.

“We only get one chance to do this so we’re going to do it right,” said Palaszczuk.

The new Cairns Convention Centre will also feature more capacity, including space for 30 exhibition booths, three meeting rooms and a 450-pax event space.

A rooftop banqueting venue will also be added, with capacity for more than 400 guests.

AEG Ogden chairman and CEO Harvey Lister said the government’s investment would deliver significant economic benefits to the Cairns economy over the next decade and beyond.

“Not only will it enable the Centre to host additional events, it will enhance Cairns’ standing as a world leader in business events and tourist destination,” he said.

“One of the main selling points going forward will be the ability of the Cairns Convention Centre to host multiple events at the same time, ie a basketball game and a convention or two conventions.”

Lister said conference growth in Tropical North Queensland has been constrained as a result of the centre not being able to accommodate two large conventions simultaneously during peak convention season.

“This expansion by Government will largely resolve those constraints, opening up additional economic benefits and tourism opportunities for Cairns and Tropical North Queensland,” he said.

The centre is expected to close between May and October 2020 to begin the works, with a completion date of early 2022.

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