Two sites left in TAC search

Andrew Mathieson
Two landowners are left in the contest to house the Transport Accident Commission in Geelong.
The commission expects to announce its site within a month after consultant Pricewaterhouse Coopers notified unsuccessful bidders and cut the shortlist to a block in Brougham Street and land surrounding Geelong Railway Station.
The remaining candidates must present closing submissions to Pricewaterhouse Coopers on Monday.
Dennis More, who owns the Brougham Street site of Geelong’s former Bow Truss building, had his fingers crossed yesterday.
“Ours is right in the Western Wedge, which fits the criteria of what they want,” Mr More said.
He believed his block’s location had kept it “in the mix” after completion of soil tests last Friday and Monday.
Mr More had given the company handling his bid permission to do “whatever they want” to get his bid over the line.
VicTrack property group director Don Welsh said the company was “prepared to consider” housing the TAC building at its railways station site.
However, conditions on the site included approval from Transport Minister Peter Batchelor.
Other conditions included replacement of commuter and staff parking spaces and action to avoid adverse impacts on train operations during construction.
Sites out of contention are: Mercer Street’s Harwood-Andrews and Winter and Taylor buildings; Deakin University’s site at the corner of Smythe and Gheringhap streets; and land between Little Ryrie and Myers streets.
The TAC plans to shift from Melbourne to Geelong in 2009.
The shift promises to bring 800 jobs to Geelong and a $141 million boost to the local economy.