It's been gratifying to receive so much positive feedback on Council's resolution to make a $57M financial contribution to the $154M stage 1 of the entertainment precinct: a new 1100 seat theatre, rehearsal space, car parking, connection with the Convention Centre and the Cruise Liner terminal through White's Shed, extensive public spaces and landscaping. We needed to make this important decision to ensure we have a chance of spending the federal government's $40M contribution towards creating jobs – already extended by 12 months - by the due date of 30 June 2012. The loss of this funding would have meant that the whole project would have fallen over.

Unprecedented planning and financial analysis has gone into this project to demonstrate that the State Government investment is wise and that Council has the capability to build and run this precinct.