ATP Conference Centre closure final nail in the coffin

BY JORDAN FERMANIS

The ATP Conference Centre which was been operational since 1998 will close its doors for the last time on 30 June 2017.

In a media release that has flown under the radar of Sydney media outlets, Director of Sales and Marketing at ATP, Ruby Chronis announced the closure.

“Australian Technology Park (ATP) Conference Centre, which has been running since 1998, is due to close on 30 June 2017.”

“The move heralds a new chapter in ATP’s rich history—one that started more than 100 years ago when it first embraced industries of the future,” Ms Chronis said.

Speaking to City Hub Ms Chronis said that the construction of the redevelopment by the Mirvac consortium would affect the Conference Centre’s viability and that the lease on the Conference Centre is due to expire at the end of the financial year.

“The construction will be taking place in the carpark which will have a direct impact on the conferencing business.”

“We also have a lease which expires in June 2017,” Ms Chronis said.

However community groups and politicians alike have been shocked by the announcement which will see the loss of what its own site states is ‘reputably ‘Sydney’s most unique venue.’ The centre has been housed in the heritage listed Locomotive Workshop.

Greens NSW spokesperson on Urban Growth, Jamie Parker said that closure of the ATP Conference Centre attests to community concerns that the public would be kept out of the redevelopment.

“The announcement shows that local residents were right to be concerned about the sale of what was a vibrant and loved public space to the Mirvac consortium.”

“The ATP Conference Centre has been home to local designer markets, exhibitions, live concerts, conferences, the Cruelty Free Festival, and many other cultural events. It is one of the most unique and historic venues in Sydney. Now it’s shutting its doors to public events.”

Alice Anderson REDWatch Spokesperson said that the conditions on the $263 million sale by the NSW government were to enforce stricter regulations on the development of the site. She was also indicated that REDWatch was concerned at the lack of coverage the closure of the Conference Centre had received.

“How the sale was presented to the general community was that there would be heavy government regulations on what could be used for the site and how it could be developed but that is turning out to be false.”

“There hasn’t been much coverage on the Conference Centre closing early next year. So it seems like things are being kept quiet and kept quiet for a purpose,” Ms Anderson said.

The annoucement of the closure is closely timed to the reopening of the revamped International Convention Centre in Darling Harbour which is scheduled to open in December of this year. The state government seems to leveraging the success of one of Sydney’s most unique  and historic venues against the new conference centre megaplex.

A spokesperson from Mirvac said that future plans for the Conference Centre are “still to be determined” but reiterated the commitment of Mirvac and the NSW government to protect the heritage significance of the site.

“As the Conference Centre is located within the Locomotive Workshop – which does not form part of the current redevelopment – the final use and plan for this site is still to be determined.”

“It’s important to note that as part of the sale of ATP by the NSW State Government, a heritage covenant is in place to ensure the heritage significance of the site and in particular the Locomotive Workshop is maintained and addressed as part of any future development,” the spokesperson said.

However Friends of Erskineville President Darren Jenkins said that the closure of the Conference Centre displays a disregard for the community by both Mirvac and the state government.

“The ATP conference facilities have been an important meeting place in South Sydney for the last 20 years. “

“It is bitterly ironic that the public consultations about the privatisation of the ATP and the massive development of the Eveleigh rail yards were held in the very same heritage buildings that will soon be off-limits to the public.”

“It seems Mike Baird and his government are prepared to do anything to turn a quick buck at any cost, “ Mr Jenkins said.

As it remains unclear what the future of the Conference Centre will be, community groups are apprehensive about how much access the public will be granted to the new ATP site after the latest news which has removed an another public space.

“With their latest plans and this latest news, that’s very up in the air and questioned and it will have great impact on the surrounding community.”

“What are they going to using that space for now? And how will they develop that area?,” Ms Anderson from REDWatch said.