Facade works nearly compete at Nyaal Banyul

THE final appearance of the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre is almost locked in, with facade works on the major project on the Geelong Waterfront nearly complete.

The facade features 25,000 ceramic tiles and extensive glazing and was designed in collaboration with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC) to reflect Geelong’s Western Beach cliffs, which are of deep cultural significance for the Wadawurrung People.

Nyaal Banyul will be the first convention centre in Australia designed from inception with local Traditional Owners.

Driven by a zero-carbon strategy and now equipped with a 1,100-panel solar energy system, the venue will be powered entirely by renewable energy as it aims to achieve Climate Active Carbon Neutral and 5-star Green Star Buildings certifications.

Expected to be complete by the middle of next year, the precinct will include a 1,000-seat theatre, two large event spaces, meeting rooms, conference facilities and flexible event spaces.

It will also have food and beverage retail spaces, a large public plaza and 200-room hotel under the internationally renowned Crowne Plaza brand.

Landscaping works and the interior fit-out are also in progress, with more than 500 tradespeople working onsite each day to install services and internal finishes.

The development is being delivered as a precinct partnership with the Plenary Conventions consortium, with Plenary Group as sponsor and investor as well as hotel and commercial building developer, Built as builder, Woods Bagot as architect, and BGIS as facilities manager.

The project is supported by the federal ($30 million) and Victorian ($416.1 million) governments and the City of Greater Geelong ($3 million) through the Geelong City Deal.

Stakeholders gathered outside Nyaal Banyul yesterday (Thursday, June 5) ahead of a site tour, including federal Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles, Corangamite federal member Libby Coker, Geelong MP Christine Couzens, City of Greater Geelong councillor Trent Sullivan, Regional Development Victoria Barwon South West regional director Brett Ince, Wadawurrung woman and WTOAC cultural strengthening general manager Corrina Eccles, Plenary Group chief investment officer Paul Crowe, and Woods Bagot director Bruno Mendes.

Mr Giles said he previously visited the site five years ago when he was the shadow minister for cities, and he was impressed with the progress since then.

“From an Australian government point of view, think about what this symbolises for the region.

“People around the country have been reading about how the Geelong region is the greatest magnet for people and opportunity in Australia at the moment, and there’s perhaps no stronger symbol of it than the building that’s behind us now.”

He said Nyaal Banyul showed what was possible when all three levels of government worked together to realse shared objectives.

“This precinct will be a landmark on Geelong’s waterfront for years to come, and it’s so exciting to see it come to life,” Ms Couzens said.

Mr Mendes said Nyaal Banyul’s core identity was shaped by the northern façade’s fluid ribbon of glazed ceramic tiles developed specifically for the project.

“The tones and textures of the undulating tiles respond to the shifting light that floods the bay from sunrise to sunset, while regulating the building’s thermal performance.”