THERE has been much negative coverage in Business News regarding the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre (PCEC). In response, there are some issues I would like to raise.
The decision to select the Multiplex Consortium as preferred provider was based on sound business judgement rather than (as suggested in your editorial) popular public opinion alone.
The announcement of preferred provider marked the conclusion of a comprehensive, two-year evaluation process. In determining the viability of each consortium’s bid, consideration was given to the following selection criterion: project viability, risk to government, delivery timing, design, integration, site selection and benefits to the State.
The Multiplex Consortium was able to deliver overall more competitively on the core assessment parameters in the final stage of the evaluation process.
I am disappointed that as a publication dedicated to reporting on business matters, you have failed to report the fantastic business opportunities the PCEC affords.
The Multiplex consortium expects that up to 5,000 jobs during construction and more than 3,000 new permanent full time and part time jobs will be created.
The project will also generate between $1.5 to $2 billion for WA’s economy in its first 10 years, with flow-on effects to regional areas estimated to be about $11 million a year.
It is also important to stress that one of the most important elements in the selection of a preferred provider was a sound business plan that would result in economic benefit for WA.
If public opinion and aesthetics were the only criteria on which we chose the preferred provider, not only could it have been a disastrous business decision but I’m sure you would have quite rightly criticised the process as superficial.
In this case the PCEC selection process was both thorough and comprehensive taking into account all aspects including public opinion and aesthetics.
Shane Crockett, chief executive officer, Western Australian Tourism Commission.
