Early works have begun on the Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCEC), to prepare the site for major construction.
Geotechnical investigations will help prepare the land for the project’s development, ensuring that future designs consider all relevant site considerations.
The precinct will include a 200-room luxury hotel and commercial spaces, and a 1000-seat plenary venue which will be developed with 3700 square metres of flexible multipurpose space to allow large and small events to run concurrently.
The GCEC will support 600 jobs during construction and an additional 270 ongoing jobs once complete. The hotel will further boost employment opportunities and strengthen the region’s visitor economy.
“This project is creating hundreds of jobs during construction as well as ongoing jobs when complete and will play a key role in attracting new visitors to the region for decades to come,” Victorian Regional Development Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said.
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“We’re proud to invest in this city-shaping project because we know it will deliver big benefits for local businesses now and into the future.”
An industry briefing for architects, designers and builders will take place next month, following by an Expression of Interest (EOI) process.
Details of commercial opportunities to activate the precinct and improve connections to the CBD and Western Beach will be determined through the EOI process.
The Victorian Government is contributing $261 million to the project, with the Australian Government contributing $30 million and the City of Greater Geelong contributing $3 million – bringing the total project value to $294 million.
Federal Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Minister Paul Fletcher said the early works are an important milestone in the development of the GCEC.
“The GCEC is the one of the key projects in the Geelong City Deal, which is a commitment from all three levels of government to deliver transformational infrastructure projects that enhance the liveability and vibrancy of the city,” Fletcher said.
Member for Geelong, Christine Couzens said it’s great to see the project moving forward and creating a buzz in the community.
“We know a precinct of this size will have a significant economic impact for our region, creating hundreds of jobs and becoming a magnet to events from across the state, the country and the globe,” Couzens said.