The Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre (PCEC) redevelopment will no longer proceed, the WA Government says.
In a statement, state premier Roger Cook says that despite two years of work, the $1.6 billion needed for the project cannot be justified.
Leaseholders were told of the decision by Cook yesterday, and the announcement made public today.
The government gave three reasons for the decision:
- It would have to fund the project itself.
- The project would require more than $500 million in road and rail works before work could even start on the centre.
- A ‘significant’ business events program would be hurt by work on the centre and on tourism. Such events include Supanova Comic Con, WA Mining Conference, Energy Exchange Australia and International Wheat Congress.
The centre also has upcoming conventions booked such as the General Practice Conference & Exhibition (November), Energy Exchange Australia and WA Major Projects Conference (both March 2026), Australia’s Medical Technology National Conference (May 2026), International Iron Ore Conference (June 2026), Land Forces 2026 (October 2026) and World Police and Fire Games (March 2027).
PERTH BUSINESS EVENTS
Already $35 million was spent on design, engineering, geotechnical and business case works, and the results will be available in future, the government says.
“Our existing business events and tourism program is an important part of our government’s strategy to diversify the economy and ensure it remains the strongest in the nation,” Cook says.
“However, I refuse to compromise on major projects that will deliver better health outcomes for Western Australians.
“We want to expand our major conference capacity but it needs to occur in a way that delivers value for taxpayers and doesn’t interrupt the impressive forward program of business events activity.”
Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti says the decision means $4.7 billion can now be spent on building hospitals.
HOSPITAL FUNDING
The government will spend an extra $1.5 billion to build more hospitals, with $3.2 billion already earmarked, as it approved three new hospital projects at Mount Lawley, Royal Perth Hospital and Peel.
Major projects already under construction include the $1.8 billion Women and Babies Hospital project and a $471.5m Bunbury Health campus redevelopment.
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