The northern state, the major competitor, has four major convention facilities and an additional major exhibition facility.
“Unless NSW continues to invest in its business event infrastructure, it risks losing market share as Australia’s largest business events destination in terms of events held and delegates,” said a lord mayoral minute tabled at Parramatta City Council.
The showground in Sydney Olympic Park is within the city’s local government area.
The proposal by the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS), which manages the facility, included developing a new 4000 seat multi-purpose convention facility and associated parking to complement the existing exhibition halls and associated infrastructure, creating Western Sydney’s premier convention and exhibition centre.
Also included would be the Education and Sydney Royal Competition Precinct to enable the RAS to expand education and competition programs in agricultural excellence.
Plus an upgrade of open space areas to facilitate more events and improve the visitor experience to the annual Sydney Royal Easter Show.
“The proposal provides a second major exhibition and convention centre in NSW at significant discount to the cost of building a new centre elsewhere as the major exhibition halls and major event infrastructure are already constructed and fit for purpose,” the document said.
“The project will deliver significant tourism and trade benefits for both regional NSW and Greater Western Sydney with the provision of additional major business events expected to stimulate hotel room bookings and retail expenditure both at Sydney Olympic Park and in Parramatta seven days a week.”
The proposal developed in conjunction with Sydney Olympic Park Authority is yet to be funded by the government.
In supporting the business case for the showground council seeks opportunities for partnership with the RAS in its 200-year anniversary in 2022, and the 200-year anniversary of the Royal Easter Show in 2023.
In supporting the business case for the showground council seeks opportunities for partnership with the RAS in its 200-year anniversary in 2022, and the 200-year anniversary of the Royal Easter Show in 2023.
