State quiet about GCEC land negotiations

PLANNING work has begun on the long-awaited Geelong Conference and Exhibition Centre (GCEC), but the Victorian government is keeping tight-lipped about the negotiations about where it will be built.

Expected to begin construction in early 2022, the $174.2 million project will include a 1,000-seat plenary and at least 3700sqm multi-purpose space that can be configured to incorporate an exhibition hall, breakout rooms and a banquet room.

According to this year’s progress report on the Geelong City Deal – a $370 million agreement between local, Victorian and federal governments – the project plan for GCEC has been approved, with “land negotiations to be completed for the site of the GCEC” and “detailed planning work to commence” listed as the next steps.

The car park at Deakin University’s Waterfront campus in central Geelong is the preferred site for GCEC.

“This is a really important project for Geelong and one that the Geelong people are really interested in seeing develop,” Victorian Minister for Regional Development Mary-Anne Thomas said in Geelong last week.

“I’m pleased that the planning is progressing in accord with timelines that are agreed between the state, local and federal government.”

Asked about who the land negotiations were between and what they were specifically about, Ms Thomas declined to answer.

“We’re working hard to deliver, and we will deliver the project.

“This is a project that has some complexities, and we’re continuing to work towards full delivery of the project.”

A spokesperson for Victorian Senator Sarah Henderson referred questions about the negotiations to the Victorian government.

“The Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre on the Deakin University Waterfront site is a significant project within the $382 million Geelong City Deal,” a Victorian government spokesperson said.

“The project is in the planning phase, with land negotiations currently underway and early construction works expected to start next year.”

The Victorian government is contributing $141.2 million towards GCEC, the federal government $30 million, and the City of Greater Geelong $3 million.