Perth Concert Hall refurbishment
206. Mr Frank Paolinoto theMinister for Creative Industries:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's commitment to diversifying our economy to build and grow WA's creative industries.
(1) Can the minister update the house on the $150 million—
Mr Liam Staltari interjected.
Mr Frank Paolino: You all good?
(1) Can the minister update the house on the $150 million refurbishment of the iconic and historic Perth Concert Hall?
(2) Can the minister advise the house how this project will support local jobs during the construction phase and following its completion?
Ms Simone McGurk replied:
(1)–(2) It gives me great pleasure to answer this question. I thank the member for his support and interest in the redevelopment and infrastructure building program, particularly in the creative industries. I know he probably has great dreams of perhaps performing at the Perth Concert Hall one day. Who knows; it may happen!
This is a fantastic project for a number of reasons, but it is just one of many examples of how we are supporting the creative industries in WA, which is particularly demonstrated by our investment in infrastructure. I will go through that in a bit more detail. Some interesting facts that members may not know about our beautiful concert hall is that it was opened on Australia Day in 1973. It was built in the 1970s and just preceded the opening of the Sydney Opera House. It is one of the oldest modern concert halls in the country. Acoustically, it is considered to be the best venue of its kind in Australia, so it is well worth investing in. It won a national architectural award as recently as 2016, the Australian Institute of Architects National Award for Enduring Architecture. It speaks to the fantastic value we have in what is called brutalist architecture, which is notable. I am sure that many members would be able to tell me when we talk about brutalist architecture that it is white off-form concrete—fugly might be another way of describing it! The concert hall was built in the 1970s, so a lot of the fit-out fixtures were up for auction. That was one of the more popular social media posts I did earlier this year when I let people know some furniture from the 70s would be available. Who does not want curved leather-proof seating and curtains and fabrics from the 70s in their house?
Mr David Michael: It sounds like Menzies House!
Ms Simone McGurk: That is right. It also had audiovisual equipment and commercial kitchen equipment that was auctioned and made good use of by the people who bid for it, but it is time for a refresh, which is why we are spending over $150 million on the refurbishment. Of that amount, $104 million is from the state government; $12 million is from the Commonwealth government; $4 million is from the City of Perth, which we are grateful for; and $30 million is from Woodside through the Resources Community Investment Initiative. Part of the work will be an important internal refresh and also of the forecourt of the concert hall to make better use of it and make it more welcoming and connected to the city, which will be great to see. We are grateful to ADCO, which has taken on the project to do this work. I was with the Premier; the state member for Perth, John Carey; the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, Patrick Gorman, the local federal member; and City of Perth representatives to break ground on this important project recently.
As I said, this is part of a range of infrastructure projects we are doing for creative industries. That includes work on the new film studios, which we will see open early in the new year, the cultural centre rejuvenation and work on the Aboriginal cultural centre. We are supporting not only the infrastructure, but also the arts that are part of that. Perhaps that is the subject of another question in another question time.
The Speaker: The member for Murray–Wellington with the last question.
