Cost Of Recital Hall Blows Out

The Age

Saturday May 27, 2006

By ROBIN USHER

THE building cost of a 1000-seat recital hall and a new home for the Melbourne Theatre Company in Southbank has grown by a third to $120 million.

It was estimated to cost $91 million when the project was announced two years ago, but this has grown because of the complexity of the design.

Minister for Major Projects John Lenders said the interior of the building was supported by 38 spring-based blocks to insulate it from passing trams and other traffic.

"This building is unique. Nothing like it has been built in Australia before," he said. "We discovered when we put it out to the market that this is what it costs to get a world-class hall."

The Government has decided to increase its funding of the building by $19 million to $82 million.

Melbourne University will contribute $12 million towards the cost of providing the MTC with a new home and Crown Ltd will provide the remaining $16 million rather than fulfil its obligation to build a new theatre by the casino.

The recital centre chairman, Jim Cousins, will be in charge of raising $11 million in sponsorship, $4 million more than the original target.

"We want a building we can be proud of and which will provide performances of the highest standard," Mr Cousins said. "I'm very glad the Government has accepted our advice and it's going ahead."

But an Opposition arts spokeswoman described the cost blow-out as outrageous.

"This is another sloppy Bracks Government approach that means nothing is built on time or on budget," she said. "It is gross incompetence."

She said the project was essential for Victoria's arts community and it was up to the Government to ensure that everything was right.

Peter Burch, Victorian manager of Musica Viva, which will be a major user of the recital hall, said the project would revitalise chamber music and other acoustic concerts in Melbourne.

"This is a fantastic decision to go ahead. That it will take a year longer is irrelevant if at the end of the day the world-class facilities were worth the cost," he said.

© 2006 The Age

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