Whitsunday Regional Council CEO Barry Omundson said the PEC suffered extensive damage during the cyclone last March with timber flooring, collapsed ceilings, damaged electrical and air conditioning.

“As a consequence of that damage, the PEC has not been operational since that time,” he said.

“The timeframe for repairing the damage to the PEC has been outside council’s control, and council is working to have the PEC properly restored as soon as practicable.”

Some of the PEC works and repairs currently being addressed include:

• the air-conditioning at the PEC;
• the roof sheeting in the vicinity of the air-conditioning plant; and
• the theatrical Audio Visual Equipment which suffered water damage during STC Debbie.

This work has commenced, but cannot be completed until roof repairs are complete.

Mr Omundson said the issues being repaired are complex and he expected the PEC would not reopen until later this year.