Australia Forum
{{Short description|Proposed Australian infrastructure project}}
{{Use Australian English|date=March 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
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The Australia Forum is a proposed convention centre complex for Canberra, Australia. The project was first put forward in 2011, and in 2017 its future became uncertain when the ACT Government withdrew funding for the preparation of a business case for it.{{cite news |title=Future uncertain for Fuksas, GMB's Canberra convention centre |url=https://architectureau.com/articles/future-uncertain-for-fuksas-gmbs-canberra-convention-centre/ |access-date=22 August 2021 |work=ArchitectureAU |language=en}}
History
In response to what its planners saw as the Australian capital's "lack of a sufficiently large, high quality, secure venue that can be locked down without disrupting the city, as well as a lack of sufficient accommodation of a suitably high standard"{{cite web|title=Need and Benefits|url=http://www.australiaforum.com.au/australiaforum/needsandbenefit/|publisher=Australia Forum|accessdate=11 April 2011|date=11 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110712213743/http://www.australiaforum.com.au/australiaforum/needsandbenefit/|archive-date=12 July 2011|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} a proposal was announced on 11 April 2011 for a $328 million complex in what is now Acton park on the shore of the Western basin of Lake Burley Griffin. The complex would include a plenary hall catering for up to 3000, a purpose designed Centre for Dialogue, a ballroom, large exhibition space, restaurants, bars, five-star hotel and associated parking.{{cite web|title=Australian Business Web Design Canberra|url=https://www.onclicktechnologies.com/web-design-canberra.html|publisher=Thetechnocrats|date=14 September 2019}} The centre is expected to be able to securely host political dialogue meetings such as the G20 or CHOGM as well as trade conferences. Whilst the announcement of the plan was received with broad, though not unanimous, approval{{cite news|last=Ireland |first=Judith |title=Mixed feelings over $327m complex |url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/mixed-feelings-over-327m-complex/2130863.aspx?storypage=0 |accessdate=16 April 2011 |newspaper=Canberra Times |date=12 April 2011 }}{{dead link|date=October 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} it was noted in the Canberra Times's supportive editorial that the community rarely embraces such ideas usually for reason of public expenditure or vague public benefit. It was also noted that the Government might also be liable for substantial environmental rehabilitation costs before construction could begin.{{cite news|title=Australia Forum would be an asset |url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/opinion/editorial/general/australia-forum-would-be-an-asset/2133738.aspx?storypage=0 |accessdate=16 April 2011 |newspaper=Canberra Times |date=14 April 2011 }}{{dead link|date=October 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
In March 2010 the Steering Committee for the "Australia Forum Scoping Study" was announced subsequent to several previously rejected proposals.{{cite news|title=$328m complex 'home for national conversation'|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/04/11/3187775.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110414135441/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/04/11/3187775.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 April 2011|accessdate=11 April 2011|newspaper=ABC News|date=11 April 2011}} The Australian Capital Territory government invested $500,000 in 2010 for the scoping study and in April 2011 agreed to allocate a further $1 million for technical studies.{{cite news|last=Ireland |first=Judith |title= City's waterside vision revealed |url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/citys-waterside-vision-revealed/2129734.aspx?storypage=0 |accessdate=11 April 2011 |newspaper=Canberra Times |date=11 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110415050650/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/citys-waterside-vision-revealed/2129734.aspx?storypage=0|archive-date=15 April 2011|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}
In 2015, a design for the building was announced by Guida Moseley Brown Architects,{{cite news |title=Latest design for Canberra's proposed convention centre released |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-30/updated-design-for-canberras-convention-centre-released/6585008 |access-date=22 August 2021 |work=www.abc.net.au |date=30 June 2015 |language=en-AU}} to be designed by Massimiliano Fuksas.
Committee
The committee consists of:{{cite web|title=Australia Forum|url=http://rodis.com.au/wiki/Canberra-Business-Council-Australia-Forum.php|publisher=Canberra Business Council|accessdate=11 April 2011}}
- Professor Peter Shergold, former head of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (Chair)
- Dr Dawn Casey, Director, Powerhouse Museum and formerly Director, National Museum of Australia
- Professor Ian Chubb, AC, Vice Chancellor, Australian National University
- General Peter Cosgrove, AC, MC Chair of the Australian War Memorial Council
- Ms Virginia Haussegger, ABC News presenter
- Mr Rupert Myer, AM, Chairman of the National Gallery of Australia
See also
{{Portal|Australia}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website}}
{{Canberra landmarks}}
{{coord|35|17|13.14|S|149|7|33.11|E|region:AU|display=title}}
Category:Convention centres in Australia