By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
GEELONG Performing Arts Centre is “unsafe” and “no longer fit for purpose”, according to a funding submission.
The GPAC board’s $140 million plan to redevelop the ageing centre said it was now “non-compliant, inaccessible and non-sustainable” and must be replaced.
“GPAC was built with a 20-to-25-year lifespan. In 2014 it will be 33 years old,” the board said.
“Geelong, as home to (the National Disability Insurance Agency), needs to set standards for accessible public buildings.”
The redevelopment proposal is part of a Geelong cultural precinct master plan but faces competition for funding from other local projects including a new Yarra St pier and further upgrades at Simonds Stadium.
GPAC’s plan expected increasing demand amid the region’s “unprecedented” population growth to 500,000 by 2040.
“GPAC already attracts 235,000 attendances from a regional population of 290,000, or one in two households from greater Geelong.”
The redevelopment would also stimulate economic development and create 1300 jobs, including 600 during construction.
The plan identified the cultural precinct as a “critical element” in revitalising Geelong’s city centre and boosting tourism.
GPAC citied the support of regional bodies including Geelong’s council, municipal alliance body G21 and Committee for Geelong.
The two-stage redevelopment would include a new $30 million Ryrie St facade and spend $110 million upgrading the Lt Malop St entrance, improving theatres and expanding GPAC into neighbouring spaces and sites.
The project would also add a floor of “creative industries” offices with conference and hospitality areas and deliver an outdoor plaza and performance space.
GPAC’s floor area would increase from 11,000 square metres to 18,500sqm and the building would rise to five storeys.
But Mayor Darryn Lyons told a Geelong Business Network breakfast last week that the city should first invest in “economic drivers” before spending on the cultural precinct.
He cited proposals for a Yarra St Pier, a convention centre and a mineral springs spa at Eastern Beach as projects that would “leverage off private investment”.
“I’m passionate about GPAC as well but we need economic drivers first to build our cultural precincts.”
