Published on Friday, 30 August 2024 at 12:19:00 PM
The City of Busselton's new Convention and Performing Arts Centre, Saltwater, is nearing completion and we’re counting down to the highly anticipated opening forecast for mid-2025!
Busselton Cultural Precinct Venue Manager, Sharon Custers said: "Excitement is building around the new venue and we’ve been working closely with Australia's South West and Business Events Perth to attract national conferences to Busselton, which will significantly lift the local economy."
“We've received a surge of enquiries from event organisers who are keen to hire the venue for a range of functions, conventions, exhibitions and events, from dance concerts and school graduations to world-class entertainment and large national conferences."
"We’ve also secured a number of exciting shows for our opening year with more currently being negotiated. We will host some outstanding comedy, theatre, circus and dance tours, as well as some iconic Australian musicians and bands."
"Rehearsals are currently underway for Saltwater's opening production, Busstop, a professionally written play that tells the untold stories of Busselton's history up to the present day."
"Venue bookings will go live later this year and hirers will be able to view details and book online for events taking place from mid-2025 onwards."
"The City of Busselton will run Saltwater Ready Workshops within the next few months to advise local businesses about how to prepare for the influx of corporate visitors and answer questions about business opportunities within the conferencing market."
Situated across from the heritage-listed Old Courthouse Complex in the Busselton Cultural Precinct, this modern, multi-purpose venue will connect the foreshore to the CBD, creating long-term synergies with existing heritage, cultural, and tourism assets that will strengthen Busselton's position as the Events Capital of WA.
Located two and a half hours’ drive south of Perth and easily accessible from the east coast with direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Busselton Margaret River Airport, the region is perfectly placed to attract world-class entertainment and national conferences.
Positioned to become a destination for the performing, creative and business event sectors, Saltwater Busselton will host a wide range of entertainment, exhibitions and conferences across three levels of innovation and artistic inspiration.
Every space has been meticulously designed with multi-functionality in mind and the venue will be used simultaneously for a variety of creative, cultural, community and business events.
Saltwater will diversify the range of events held in Busselton, as it will be the only indoor venue in the Margaret River Region with a 1000-person standing capacity. This will increase the amount of live music performances and concerts held in the region, which will boost visitation during the shoulder and off-peak tourism periods.
Increased visitation to the region will benefit the local economy by generating steady demand for local products and services throughout the year, resulting in a significant increase in revenue and employment opportunities for the region.
Businesses expected to directly benefit from increased regional visitation include accommodation providers, restaurants, catering companies, hospitality suppliers, event hire operators, wineries, breweries, transport and tour companies, live performers and cleaning businesses.
Saltwater Construction Update:
Construction of Saltwater continues to advance, with approximately 65% of the work now complete.
A number of important milestones have been achieved, including the completion of structural steel installation and the placement of ancillary awnings at Queen Street and Weld Theatre. Roof sheeting has been installed and the façade framework is currently being installed across the North, South, and West elevations. Glazing has also commenced on both the ground floor and Level 2, while sub-framing for windows across all three levels is ongoing.
Significant progress has been made inside the venue with internal fit-out and finishing in several critical areas, including the back-of-house areas, auditorium, foyer and gallery spaces, bathrooms and the lobby areas on Level 1 and Level 2.
Saltwater Facts:
- Saltwater was named after the Wadandi (Saltwater People), the Traditional Owners of the land (Undalup) on which this new venue is located.
- Saltwater is a state-of-the-art, multi-purpose venue – designed for flexibility to attract and host a diversity of entertainment, events and art exhibitions.
- Saltwater’s modern Auditorium is the ultimate multi-function space. The black box design is transformable from a traditional 640-seat tiered theatre to a 1000-person standing capacity flat floor space, which is perfect for large trade shows and conventions. Equipped with high performance light and sound equipment, the venue is also ideal for concerts.
- Saltwater’s Conference Suite offers cutting-edge audio-visual technology and three operable walls that can be configured for large and small meetings, functions, workshops, conventions and banquets of up to 400 delegates. Located on Level 2, these function rooms enjoy abundant natural light and access to an alfresco balcony with magnificent views of Geographe Bay
- The A-Class Saltwater Gallery located on the ground floor will showcase continuously changing exhibitions of local, national and international art. Free to enter, this sophisticated gallery will be open on a daily basis for everyone to enjoy.
- Located at the Jetty end of Queen Street between Adelaide Street and Marine Terrace, the Busselton Cultural Precinct comprises some of Busselton's oldest buildings in the Old Courthouse Complex across from Saltwater - Australia's newest Convention and Performing Arts Centre.
- The heritage-listed Old Courthouse Complex dates back to the 1860s and is now a hub for arts and culture.
- The Busselton Cultural Precinct is also home to the Busselton Repertory Club, The Weld Theatre, Acting Up Youth Theatre and the Busselton Art Society.
Saltwater Grants & Funding:
- The Australian Government is contributing $10.35 million towards construction.
- The State Government has contributed $1.8 million towards construction through a Lotterywest grant.
- Rio Tinto has contributed $250,000 towards construction of educational spaces and equipment.
- So far, grants totalling over $400,000 have been sourced from State and Federal Governments, contributing to the opening production and the first three years of arts programming.
Further information & venue hire enquiries: www.saltwaterbusselton.com.au
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