Consultants Habitat Planning have lodged the development application for the works, which have been on the drawing board since 2018, which involve the expansion of the convention wing to cater for large-scale business, conference and tourism events.

Conference seating capacity would be doubled to 2000 patrons to avoid taking large scale events to other venues in the city as previously experienced.

A formal plaza and meeting place at the venue's entrance will also be created.

Albury Council is chasing state and federal funding to bankroll the project which has been identified as one of the city's major priorities as part of deliberations with the Albury-Wodonga Regional Deal.

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Demolition will also require removal of asbestos identified in an audit carried out last year.

The area earmarked for demolition is the south eastern corner of the existing convention wing.

"Specifically, the proposal is to upgrade, extend and refurbish the existing facilities to provide additional community and entertainment facilities," the application states.

"The proposal will substantially improve the circulation and entry to the facility and contribution to Swift Street and the Albury civic precinct generally.

"It will also refurbish the existing convention space to meet current industry standards in relation to capacity and experience which will enable the facility to offer greater opportunities for hosting major regional events.

"The convention centre will be developed over several floors including the ground floor, mezzanine, upper floor and canopy.

"Generally, the development will provide new external and internal pre-function spaces, offices, back-of-house areas, meeting rooms, banquet room, upgraded theatrette and upgraded loading dock and multi-purpose event space."

The convention centre wing was constructed in 1972 and upgraded in 1993 and 2009.

In 2018, a total rebuild was estimated to cost $34 million.

A bid by some councillors to have the convention wing and theatre both demolished early last year was defeated.

"The operational requirements of the Albury Entertainment Centre are not proposed to be altered as a result of the proposed upgrades," the application states.

"The upgrades works will provide a more functional platform and an upgraded facility that allows for greater flexibility to host events in a range of different and concurrent formats."

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