NSW: Government decision needed on events space: Opposition

AAP General News (Australia)
02-11-2008
NSW: Government decision needed on events space: Opposition

The New South Wales opposition's blaming the state government for the loss of major
events in Sydney .. which it says has cost the state 218 million dollars a year.

Opposition Leader BARRY O'FARRELL says the government's failure to expand convention
and exhibition space in the city means it's being bypassed.

A review of Sydney's convention and exhibition space .. conducted by Events Corporation
boss JOHN O'NEILL .. has found the city has lost 494 events over the past four years ..

partly because of capacity issues at Darling Harbour.

The report recommends Sydney Showground at Homebush be expanded and used for local
events .. while global events should be held at an expanded convention and exhibition
space at Darling Harbour.

Mr O'FARRELL says it's been obvious to everyone for more than a decade that Sydney's
convention and exhibition space hasn't kept pace with the development in the city.

He says the government's failure to keep up is costing jobs and investment and affecting
the NSW economy.

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KEYWORD: EVENTS OPPOSITION (SYDNEY)

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