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Brisbane City Council has revealed it will tap the private sector to upgrade and operate Riverstage – the inner city’s largest music and events venue.
New and upgraded facilities and a “state-of-the-art” sound management system will be built at the music venue behind Brisbane Botanic Gardens.
Riverstage has been earmarked for major changes. Credit: Brisbane City Council
The revamp would be managed by a private company, which would be offered a long-term lease in exchange for its investment.
Riverstage would remain owned by council. A similar private-public funding model is planned for Chermside Pool.
“We want to make it even better,” Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said.
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“While we want to ensure the Riverstage remains in public hands and gets even better, investing in music venues is not the core business of our Council.”
An expression of interest campaign for venue operators will begin on September 22.
Riverstage was built in 1989 and has attracted some of the world’s biggest bands. Almost a quarter of a million people attended 38 events last financial year.
Councillor Adam Allan backed the funding model on Tuesday.
“The new model proposed will ensure that Riverstage is upgraded while council funds are invested in better roads and improving public transport, getting Brisbane residents home sooner and safer,” he told the chamber just after 2pm.
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