The list of construction business project groups vying to deliver the $294 million Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCEC) has been narrowed down to three.
The project will aim to transform the Geelong waterfront and drive significant economic, social and cultural growth for the city and broader Geelong region.
The three shortlisted builders are Kinetik – comprising Tetris Capital, Amber Australia, Kane Constructions, ISS Facility Services, CostaFox Developments, Warren & Mahoney and Six Degrees; Geelong Live – comprising Capella Capital, Aware Super, Lendlease Building, Honeywell, MAB Corporation, Populous, Hassell, Freadman White and Oculus; and Plenary Conventions – comprising Plenary Group, Built, BGIS, Woods Bagot, WSP and 4D Workshop.
Once complete, the state-of-the-art precinct will be run by the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust and will feature a 1000-seat event venue, 3700 square metres of multi-purpose space, and a 200-room upscale hotel and commercial spaces.
Following a comprehensive tender process, involving extensive community and stakeholder consultations, the successful bidder is expected to be announced in mid-2023, with construction to start in late 2023 and the first event to be hosted in 2026.
It is anticipated the project will support more than 600 jobs during the construction phase, and an additional 270 ongoing jobs created once the facility is up and running.
“This announcement is the next step in a truly exciting project, one that will place Geelong as host to a world-class cultural facility – the Convention and Exhibition Centre – and showcase the city’s beautiful waterfront assets,” Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said.
“Once complete, the GCEC will help revitalise the city and regional economy.”
Victorian Regional Development Minister Harriet Shing said it was fantastic to see such a high calibre of consortia eager to be a part of creating the centre and precinct.
“With a waterfront precinct that rivals any in the country, Geelong deserves a convention centre precinct that will enable even more people to come and explore all we have to offer,” she said.
