ICC Sydney will become the new events space at Darling Harbour. Image: SICEEP

The Destination Sydney consortium has won the construction rights to become the preferred developer of the new convention, exhibition and entertainment precinct at Darling Harbour, to be completed by 2016.

AEG Ogden, Lend Lease, Capella Capital and Spotless Facilities Services make up the conglomerate selected by the New South Wales Government to build the 20-hectare, 900-room hotel complex, convention centre and new urban neighbourhood.

Although the working title of the project is ‘Darling Harbour Live’, the $1.1 billion facility will eventually be known as the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney), operated and managed by AEG Ogden.

“ICC Sydney is destined to be a showcase international venue in one of the world’s leading cities and is a welcome addition to the AEG Ogden family of award winning venues in Australia, Asia and the Middle East,” AEG Ogden chairman and chief executive Harvey Lister said.

Business Events Sydney currently manages booking enquiries for the ‘Darling Harbour Live’ site and will continue to do so until early next year.

“For the new convention centre, the long term rollout of what’s going to happen is terribly exciting and I think that the Glebe Island Expo, the interim solution, is a fantastic opportunity for everyone to continue to do business,” Business Events Australia general manager Penny Lion said.

NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell said the new plan to develop Darling Harbour fulfils election commitments, creates 1600 new jobs over a three year construction period and provides ongoing employment for 4000 people.

“Along with the development of Barangaroo, this project will transform the western fringe of Sydney’s Central Business District and is the biggest and most exciting change to Darling Harbour in 25 years,” Mr O’Farrell said.

Business Events Sydney chief executive Lyn Lewis-Smith believes Sydney “needs an iconic, contemporary and versatile meetings precinct befit of Australia’s global city” and suggests ICC Sydney can deliver.

“This innovation hub in the heart of Sydney will create opportunities to host more international events that help to drive our knowledge economy,” Ms Lewis-Smith said.

“The precinct will also be a hive of residential and retail, leisure spaces and more. It will connect our educational, creative and multicultural precincts - above all, it will have the character, dynamism and energy that Sydney is renowned for.”

ICC Sydney is expected to pull in $200 million per annum for NSW or $5 billion over a 25 year concession.