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Major Convention and Exhibition Centre moves a step closer to reality
Tuesday, 24 August 2010
10:12 AM
Media Releases
The proposal for a major Convention and Exhibition Centre for Geelong has moved a step closer to reality with Council’s adoption of a Governance Structure for the project.
Council also adopted the Terms of Reference for the Project Steering Group.
Cr Stretch Kontelj, who holds the portfolio for Major Projects, said the Convention and Exhibition Centre was considered one of Council’s key priority projects.
He said G21, the Geelong Region Alliance, had also acknowledged the project as a priority to retain business and economic activity in the region rather than the current situation, in which vital economic opportunities were often lost to Melbourne.
Cr Kontelj said a feasibility study conducted in 2008 indicated the project was viable and would add to the economic diversity and sustainability of Geelong.
“Estimates indicate the cost of the facility might be in the order of $180 million, inclusive of a hotel ($62 million), car park ($48 million) and construction of the Convention Centre ($72 million),” he said.
“Based on the latest research, the proposed one-thousand seat Convention Centre and three-thousand square metre Exhibition Hall could play host to nearly 400 events per year,” Cr Kontelj said.
He said the construction phase of the project would generate an estimated 232 direct jobs, with 434 ongoing jobs provided by the completed facility.
“The proposed Convention and Exhibition Centre is seen as an important ‘non retail’ anchor generating an estimated $9 in business activity for every $1 earned directly by the Convention Centre,” Cr Kontelj said.
He said the object of the Project Governance Structure was to drive interest in the project, at the same time confirming a suitable site and delivery model and securing a commercial commitment to invest in the project.
Private consultants engaged by Council have identified a number of potential sites, including:
* Deakin car park, adjacent to the university’s Waterfront Campus
* Winter and Taylor site in Mercer Street
* Council’s Corio Street acquisition site, providing that an alternative site for future civic accommodation is identified, and
* Western Beach foreshore.
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