THE Canberra Business Council is getting behind the ACT Government’s bid to jointly host the 2014 G20 Summit with NSW but calls for the urgent development of infrastructure to hold similar events in the future.

The call comes as Chief Minister Katy Gallagher announced she has been in talks with NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell, proposing the two governments work cooperatively towards a bid for Sydney to host the major summit meeting, while Canberra plays host to a number of significant side events.

CBC CEO Chris Faulks said the council will do everything it can to help the ACT secure the pre and post G20 summit meetings and associated business meetings, however asks the Government to recognise the urgent need for Canberra to have a conference facility to host national and international meetings such as the G20 Summit.

“Canberra Business Council has actively promoted construction of a large and highly secure convention venue, known as the Australia Forum, in Canberra,” she said.

“The plan includes conference and exhibition facilities, hotel accommodation, retail and restaurant outlets and would have all of the functionality and capacity needed to host a G20 meeting. It would be a first step in enabling the ACT to successfully compete for conferences of this type.

“As the capital of Australia, the ACT should be the natural host of these important meetings.”

The Government has said a recent analysis of the capacity of the ACT to host the main summit has shown that Canberra currently does not have the capacity for large scale international events, including too few upscale hotels and hotel suites for high level visits.

“The study provided a comparison with the 2011 host city Cannes and the 2012 host city Los Cabos,” Chief Minister Gallagher said.

“It showed that, with total hotel room capacity of 5250, Canberra had less than half the capacity of Los Cabos and almost three thousand fewer than Cannes. An estimated 7000 to 10,000 guests are expected to attend the event.

“However, we are well placed to host the side events that are staged in the lead up to and during the actual G20 Summit.”

Ms Faulks said the council commends the support the Government has shown toward the Australia Forum, with a committed $1million to a feasibility study and a recently released EOI for an Urban Design Study.

“While this shows goodwill on the part of the ACT Government, it must urgently secure and commit funding for construction of the Australia Forum and ensure associated infrastructure, such as hotel accommodation, can facilitate major events,” she said.

“Ten years ago the ACT was unable to host CHOGM; 10 years later we cannot independently hold the G20. As the nation’s capital it would be tragic if we are still in this position in another 10 years.”