In 2013, Venues NSW put together a submission asking for $28 million from the $100 million proceeds from the long-term lease of Port Kembla.

The project didn’t even make the shortlist of 20.

Later that year, Venues NSW looked for funding from the NSW government’s Resources for Regions scheme.

Again, it didn’t make the shortlist.

On Wednesday, Venues NSW released an upgraded convention centre submission in response to the government’s discussion paper on Rebuilding NSW.

The government plans to spend $20 billion on infrastructure – the proceeds from leasing its electricity ‘‘poles and wires’’ after the next election.

The Venues NSW submission increases the cost of the centre from $28 million to $40 million.

Entertainment centre general manager Stuart Barnes said this figure was more in line with what was needed for a quality convention centre.

‘‘The basis of the original proposal was that funds might be limited,’’ Mr Barnes said.

‘‘The first proposal was for the port money – there was only $100 million available for that so we cut our proposal to meet that budget.

‘‘What we’ve got now is a situation where there is a larger budget, theoretically, set aside through the poles and wires sale. So we looked seriously at what was needed to host a convention.’’

The changes include the provision of a ‘‘much more robust and extensive Wi-Fi system’’, outdoor LED screens, upgrading the airconditioning and revamping the centre to allow the use of acoustic panelling.

The revised proposal also looks at opening up the eastern and southern edges of WIN Stadium to commercial opportunities.

Details would be forthcoming in a more extensive submission if the government shows some interest, but options could include pop-up container bars along the eastern edge – linked with an extension of Wollongong City Council’s Blue Mile.

One potential use of the southern edge is the creation of a St George Illawarra Dragons Centre of Excellence.

The submission says a convention centre would bring an extra 80 event days to the region with an economic benefit of $39 million and the creation of 557 direct and indirect jobs.

Venues NSW chairman John Quayle said the government knocked back the previous proposals because they didn’t fit funding criteria, not because they were flawed.

‘‘Our feedback was that the original submission was a very good one,’’ Mr Quayle said.

‘‘But this one, from all of our information so far, is a much better longer-term viable proposal.

"Things are changing in the entertainment and sporting worlds and we need to keep pace with that. 

‘‘This makes it a more multi-use facility.’’