Convention centre ‘to be another broken Liberal promise’

BROKEN promises show the Liberals “can’t be trusted” on their pledge of $5 million for a Geelong convention centre, according to a local Labor MP.
Member for Lara John Eren raised a litany of undelivered commitments in response to the Liberals’ latest promise.
“Denis Napthine and the Liberals can’t be trusted as they’ve failed to deliver on the projects that they promised to Geelong like the second Geelong hospital, Avalon rail and the 24-hour police station at Waurn Ponds, none of which have been delivered,” Mr Eren told the Independent.
“Labor has a jobs plan – Back to Work – and a Geelong jobs plan to get Geelong moving again creating jobs for Geelong families.”
Premier Denis Napthine formally announced the convention centre funding today.
The money would pay for planning only of a proposed convention centre on a waterfront site that Deakin University owns and operates as a car park.
Geelong looks unlikely to ever receive the money, with most polls and bookies predicting a Labor win at the state election on 29 November.
Geelong Mayor Darryn Lyons welcomed the convention centre promise.
“I congratulate the Premier for recognising the importance to Geelong of a Convention and Exhibition Centre, and welcome his commitment of $5 million for a feasibility study, site analysis and early works,” Cr Lyons said.
“We’ve been lobbying for funding for a convention and exhibition centre for a long time and have absolutely no doubt about the benefits this kind of major tourism infrastructure will bring to Geelong.
“This will provide Geelong with a venue to attract national and international conventions and exhibitions and create an estimated 650 jobs during construction and 434 ongoing jobs.
“Already we capture a significant share of the market – in the year ending June 2014 Greater Geelong and the Bellarine hosted more than 2000 business events and attracted approximately 135,000 delegates. A new Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre would tap into demand and stimulate private sector investment – creating opportunities for hotel development and restaurants, cafes and retail outlets.
“We’re talking about an injection of $106.6 million every year into our regional economy.”