Over the weekend Queensland Premier Anastasia Palaszczuk, Deputy Premier Jackie Trad and Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch took to the stage of QPAC’s Lyric Theatre to reveal plans to add a fifth theatre to iconic cultural hub. The Premier announced that the Queensland Government would be making an investment of $125 million for the new portion, with an additional $25 million to be contributed by QPAC itself. The 1500-to-1700-seat mid-sized theatre will take shape on what is currently the Playhouse Green, situated on the corner of Grey and Russell Street. The new portion’s design will be subject to a nation-wide design competition guided by the area’s Conservation Management Plan.

Addressing QPAC’s burgeoning prominence in the local and national arts scene, the move will not only enhance the centre’s capacity, but also its scope in regards to securing works from larger productions and companies. The new theatre will allow for an additional 300,000 visitors a year once it is fully operational in 2022. QPAC will manage the new theatre, and will support Queensland Ballet, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Opera Queensland and Queensland Theatre for its respective shows.