Convention centre: Mayor’s ‘rethink site’ call

THE SITE for Geelong’s proposed convention centre could be reviewed, according to Mayor Keith Fagg.
Cr Fagg said the newly elected council would like to consider alternatives to the Eastern Park site.
He also wanted to establish a high-level central activities area taskforce to consider the convention centre alongside city centre revitalisation projects, such as Vision II.
“Council has not yet received a full briefing on the convention centre proposal or its business case,” Cr Fagg said.
“We’re looking forward to seeing the business case and we would like to see a convention centre in Geelong because it would generate hundreds of jobs and create a flow on economic effect.
“It will certainly bring in activity but we want to make sure it’s in the most appropriate location, as close as possible to existing accommodation, shopping and service facilities.”
The previous council chose the Hearne Pde foreshore site, below Eastern Park, after a lengthy process eliminated five alternative sites as unavailable or unsuitable, including Deakin Univerfsity’s waterfront campus car park.
Cr Fagg said developer Laurence Elms’ proposal for a $1 billion project combining the convention centre with residential and marina components had “generated a lot of feeling both ways”.
“We want to respect all views but we’d like to think the business modelling and thought he brought to the idea could be used in conjunction with city.
“However, this will be a State Government-level project so it needs the Planning Minister involved.
“We want to see where we can get best outcome for Geelong while respecting views and the reservations about Eastern Park being used in this way.”
Cr Fagg said it was early in the process but his proposed taskforce could bring together various aspects of all proposals affecting the city centre.
“The taskforce could take all these thoughts and tighten it up and focus in more on the intentional area,” Cr Fagg said.
“The planners are telling us it’s too broad at the moment. We need to narrow the size of the CBD so we can bring in more people and high-density living.
“We want a walkable city that’s easy to reach and with access to parking.”
Mr Elms is set to meet Planning Minister Mathew Guy after state MP David O’Brien called for the meeting earlier this week.