Multiplex deadline looms

MULTIPLEX has until November 28 to secure the necessary approvals for construction of the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.

If it fails to meet that deadline the more than $110 million deal it has with the WA Government is likely to fall through.

The convention centre is expected to be built by 2004 and it is almost certain its construction will cause chaos for CBD commuters.

The centre is to be built on the well patronised Busport car park, which has 1,200 car bays. While the centre will have a 1,500-bay car park of its own, this facility will not be completed for some time. Indeed not all of those bays will be available to commuters. Around 600 of them will be set aside for use by visitors to the convention centre.

WA Auditor General Des Pearson recently called the Government’s deal with Multiplex into question.

Mr Pearson called for more information from a Government task force into the tender process for the controversial PCEC project so he could assess how open and fair competition and value for money was achieved during the tender process.