GPAC’s bid for $15m tops list

GEELONG, Queenscliff and the Surf Coast have applied for more than $30 million worth of projects in the third and fourth rounds of Regional Development Australia (RDA) funding.
The big-ticket item was redevelopment of Geelong Performing Arts Centre (GPAC), costed at $15 million.
Other bids included $9 million for a Leopold Community Hub, $3 million for a Geelong Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, funding for a Banyul Warri Fields stage two development and $500,000 for a Point Lonsdale Village foreshore revitalisation project.
RDA approved the projects to proceed to full application stage but rejected several regional project applications.
An Epworth Health Care bid to add a sixth floor to its proposed Geelong hospital failed to win favour.
Hesse Rural Health Service had its children’s centre bid knocked back, while a proposed St John of God project called Advancing Health Opportunities in the Barwon South West also missed out.
Surf Coast Shire’s application for stage three of its Banyul Warri Fields sports development was also refused.
RDA said round three attracted 216 expressions of interest asking for $84.7 million for projects valued at $476.2 million.
Round four attracted 159 expressions of interest seeking grants of $911.8 million for projects worth $3.51 billion.
The $50 million stage two GPAC redevelopment is part of a Geelong Future Cities project, including refurbishment of the city’s Old Courthouse, expansion of Geelong Art Gallery and redevelopment of Geelong’s central library and heritage centre.
The project’s webpage said GPAC’s technical infrastructure had failed to keep pace with industry standards.
“Some urgent maintenance works have been funded but the building is not compliant nor does it meet current industry standards,” the webpage said.
The expanded and refurbished centre would include new performance and studio spaces of double existing capacity.
The GPAC redevelopment was expected to create more than 130 ongoing direct jobs, increase audience numbers by 108 per cent and increase the total number of events a year from 219 to 379.
Stage three was costed at $75 million and stage four at $30 million.
The Future Cities project includes improving public spaces in Lt Malop Street and Johnstone Park with cafes, retail spaces and improved links to the train station and waterfront.