Private Member’s Statement: Albury Entertainment Centre

Legislative Assembly Hansard - 21st October 2025

Albury Entertainment Centre

Mr JUSTIN CLANCY (Albury) (00:59): In recent months, local media has reported what many business owners on Dean Street already know: Retail conditions are challenging. These observations reflect that many local traders are experiencing fewer people on the street, rising vacancies, difficult lease renewals and a sense that our CBD is not attracting the same levels of foot traffic or incidental spend as it once did. The causes are many, and there is no single solution. It is clear that attracting more people to our CBD will help drive economic activity. These challenges are not unique to Albury. Regional city centres across New South Wales are facing similar structural headwinds.

In Albury's case, we have an opportunity to respond constructively and invest in infrastructure that drives new activity, attracts visitors and generates lasting economic value. That opportunity is the redevelopment of the convention wing at the Albury Entertainment Centre, which was built in 1972 and last upgraded in 1993. A ceiling collapse in June 2024 underscored that the centre is nearing the end of its functional life. Its facilities no longer meet the expectations of the conference and events market of today. The need for renewal has been recognised by the council, business community and all levels of government for years. Planning has been underway for several years. Last month, the councillors of Albury City Council voted to progress the redevelopment to the public tender stage. This is a step forward in the long-planned project.

This is one of the key initiatives of the Australian Government Albury Wodonga Regional Projects program, which reflects the unique position of our city as the strategic midpoint between Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra. It is backed by $10 million from the Australian Government and $15 million from the New South Wales Government. Securing joint funding from both levels of government was no small feat and reflects the strength of this project. The redevelopment is expected to contribute around $124.9 million in economic activity during construction and will generate an ongoing annual benefit of about $22.5 million once it is operational. Albury City Council modelling indicates that annual revenue from the centre will rise from approximately $1.1 million to nearly $5 million by 2028-29. These are not only figures on a page but also represent jobs, business confidence and renewed momentum for our local economy.

Conference and corporate tourism are among the most valuable forms of visitation. Delegates stay longer, spend more and often return with family. Importantly, conferences bring people into town mid-week and fill hotel rooms and restaurants during periods when tourism businesses would otherwise be quiet. That means more customers, more visibility and more economic flow-on for Dean Street traders. Local retailer Barry Young said to me:

We know when a conference is on—foot traffic goes up and sales follow. Corporate events and conferencing is a great way to bring people to Albury—as a regional city we should be leading, and that's how we should be thinking.

The redevelopment will double the seating capacity of the centre to 2,000 patrons and expand its exhibition space. The design will connect the centre to QEII Square, Murray Art Museum Albury, Albury LibraryMuseum and Retro Lane Cafe. It will strengthen the entire cultural precinct. Beyond the infrastructure itself, the project aligns squarely with the Albury City Council strategic vision.

The Albury-Wodonga Regional Economic Development Strategy 2018-22 identified the need to expand the Albury Entertainment Centre as an early priority to attract convention and event tourism. The more recent AlburyCity Economic Development Strategy 2023-27 sets out a vision of Albury as "a hub of activity and services within a cohesive cross-border regional city". The convention wing redevelopment is one of its flagship projects. This project embodies a long‑term partnership between local, State and Federal governments that recognises that regional prosperity depends on shared investment and vision.

Through the Albury Wodonga Regional Projects initiative, Albury and Wodonga councils and the Australian and New South Wales governments have sought to unlock the region's potential and drive innovation and growth. The convention wing redevelopment gives that aspiration tangible form. The groundwork has been done. Planning approvals are in place, and detailed designs are complete. We have in front of us a project that will deliver local construction jobs in the short term, a stronger visitor economy in the long term and renewed confidence for our CBD businesses. This is about more than bricks and mortar; it is about positioning Albury as a regional conference hub, attracting new investment and giving Dean Street and our city centre the economic energy they deserve.