Centre within site

ERIN PEARSON
A site for Geelong’s proposed convention centre could be settled within weeks, according to Mayor John Mitchell.
He said City Hall would receive an answer on whether it could secure the preferred site “just after Easter”.
“We’ve identified five potential sites with one stand-out preference,” Cr Mitchell said.
“So far we’ve been unable to get an answer on its availability but I expect to get an answer soon. The owner of the land has previously been unable to make a decision on whether it’s available to place on the market or not.”
Cr Mitchell declined to identify the site but regional councils alliance group G21 has identified Deakin University’s waterfront campus car park as the preferred option.
Cr Mitchell said settling on a site was the major hurdle preventing progress on the convention centre.
“Sooner or later Geelong needs a major convention centre. We have the potential to do it and we’re missing out on a share of a huge market worth over $17 billion nationally.
“One of the major hotel chains has already indicated strong interest in adding to the region’s accommodation stock if the centre gets the go-ahead.”
Deakin chief operating officer Graham Dennehy said university growth plans would determine whether it wanted to keep using the car park.
“Before we can make a decision on the site we have to settle on the direction we’re heading,” Mr Dennehy said.
“Once we understand how we’re going to grow we’ll look at the options with respect to that land to see whether we need all of it, some of it or none of it.
“We’re working our way through that process now.”
Cr Mitchell will join Member for South Barwon Andrew Katos to speak about regional development priorities at a Geelong Business Network breakfast on April 14.