TABLE OF CONTENTS Page CHAIRMAN'S SUMMARY ............................................................................................ 1 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................. 2 THE COMMITTEE................................................................................................. 2 TERMS OF REFERENCE...................................................................................... 2 APPROACH TO THE INQUIRY ........................................................................... 2 RESPONSIBILITY OF MINISTERS...................................................................... 3 BACKGROUND ............................................................................................................... 4 NEED FOR INQUIRY............................................................................................ 4 INSPECTIONS ....................................................................................................... 4 SUBMISSIONS AND HEARING........................................................................... 4 HISTORY OF THE PROJECT....................................................................................... 5 INTRODUCTION................................................................................................... 5 PREVIOUS STUDIES ............................................................................................ 5 NEED...................................................................................................................... 5 THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS......................................................................... 7 DESIGN COMPETITION....................................................................................... 7 DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT ................................................................................ 8 THE CENTRE .................................................................................................................. 9 NEED AND JUSTIFICATION ............................................................................... 9 RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER FACILITIES.......................................................... 10 MARKETING........................................................................................................ 11 FUNDING......................................................................................................................... 12 PROJECT DELIVERY................................................................................................... 13 SITE....................................................................................................................... 13 SITE CLEARANCE............................................................................................... 14 DESIGN AND BUILDING PROCUREMENT...................................................... 14 CRITICISMS OF THE PROCESS......................................................................... 15 OPERATOR APPOINTMENT ...................................................................................... 16 OPERATOR SELECTION AND APPOINTMENT............................................... 16 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS ....................................................................................... 18 OVERVIEW .......................................................................................................... 18 ROOM NUMBERS................................................................................................ 18 FLEXIBILITY........................................................................................................ 18 TRAFFIC IMPLICATIONS................................................................................... 19 CAR PARKING..................................................................................................... 20 ACCESS FOR THE DISABLED ........................................................................... 20 CHILD MINDING ................................................................................................. 21 EXHIBITION FACILITIES........................................................................................... 22 DEDICATED EXHIBITION FACILITIES ............................................................ 22 ENERGY MANAGEMENT............................................................................................ 24 ENERGY EFFICIENCY........................................................................................ 24 OWNERSHIP OF THE CENTRE.................................................................................. 25 CONSULTATION ........................................................................................................... 26 SPECIFIC GROUPS .............................................................................................. 26 COMMUNITY....................................................................................................... 26 CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................ 27 RECOMMENDATIONS................................................................................................. 28 APPENDIX A - Call for Submissions............................................................................. 29 APPENDIX B - List of Submissions Received ............................................................... 30 APPENDIX C - List of Witnesses ................................................................................... 31 APPENDIX D - Location Plan ........................................................................................ 32 Chairman's Summary Cairns Convention Centre CHAIRMAN'S SUMMARY The Public Works Committee has undertaken an inquiry into the development of the Cairns Convention Centre. The Committee has reviewed all aspects of the development to date and considers that the Centre will provide substantial benefits to the Queensland economy through the resultant increases in tourist visits. The Committee has been particularly pleased to see a number of key recommendations from its previous inquiry into the construction of the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre applied to the development of the Cairns Centre. Specifically, the level and quality of consultation between the constructing authority and various user and community groups has been high throughout the design development. The Committee hopes that these high quality consultation procedures are maintained throughout the construction and fit out phases of this project and are applied to further public works in Queensland. A number of recommendations have been made by the Committee in regard to furthering consultation and other matters. These include an analysis of costs associated with concurrent construction of exhibition facilities, matters in relation to the administration of design competitions and arrangements in regard to traffic movement at the Centre. The Committee thanks those who have made submissions and appeared at its public hearing to provide evidence. In order to function effectively, the Committee depends heavily upon the quality of the information provided to it by both government and non- government organisations and interested members of the public. Ms Judy Spence MLA Chairman 1 Introduction Cairns Convention Centre INTRODUCTION THE COMMITTEE 1 This Committee was established by the Public Works Committee Act 1989, and is a Standing Committee consisting of seven Members of the Legislative Assembly. Four Members are nominated by the Leader of the House and three are nominated by the Leader of the Opposition. The resultant all-party Committee adopts a non-partisan approach in the conduct of its inquiries. 2 The Committee is empowered to review any public works valued at over $2.3 million. This can be done at any stage - from planning through to completion - and can include such matters as the purchase of land, the calling of tenders, new construction, reconstruction and extensions. 3 In conducting its inquiries, the Committee may have regard to such issues as the suitability and necessity of works, the value for money achieved, the impact on the economy, community and environment and the general performance of the constructing authority. While the Committee does not inquire into all works, it aims to ensure a level of scrutiny across all departments involved in the capital works program. TERMS OF REFERENCE 4 Pursuant to Section 18 of the Public Works Committee Act 1989, the Committee resolved to inquire into and report on the construction of the Cairns Convention Centre. 5 The establishment of a world-class Convention Centre in Cairns is intended to increase international and domestic tourism to Cairns and to provide an economic stimulus to Cairns' regional economy. The Centre will also provide a large public venue for concerts and shows. 6 This project is unique in the recent history of procurement of Queensland Government buildings in that it is the first to be designed through a design competition since the development of the Cultural Centre at South Bank Brisbane in 1978. APPROACH TO THE INQUIRY 7 The Committee believes that in the development of public works, construction authorities should seek to maximise input from those people and organisations affected by projects. The Committee sees one of its roles as facilitating this process through providing a public forum in which community opinion can be heard. 2 Introduction Cairns