Halfway point reached for Geelong Convention and Event Centre

THE new Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre (GCEC) has reached the halfway mark, with the construction of Plenary Hall and Exhibition Halls almost complete.

Locally owned and operated roofing company Faulkner Roofing is installing 8,000sqm of roofing across GCEC, providing 4,000 hours of work for three Geelong-based roof plumbing apprentices as part of the Nyaal Banyul Early Engagement Social Procurement (GEESP) program.

“The project’s emphasis on supporting local is a gamechanger for so many businesses in the region, as well as for our young apprentices who will learn their roofing trade on Geelong’s most impressive construction site, and with the best view, while being supported throughout by the GEESP program,” Faulkner Roofing director Dane Hoyer said.

Geelong-based Hanlon Industries has also supplied 400 tonnes of locally manufactured steel for the structures and hosted two boilermaker apprentices and two labourers from the GEESP program at its Corio factory, creating 1,200 hours of full-time work and long-term job opportunities.

The GEESP partnership has been co-designed by Development Victoria, the Give Where You Live Foundation’s GROW initiative, social enterprise gforce and is being delivered by Built as the head contractor.

In total, 45,000 employment hours will be provided to local apprentices and trainees.

Built says construction on Nyaal Banyul is expected to create up to 500 local trade jobs and 60 project management jobs.

Once the precinct opens in 2026, GCEC’s Plenary Hall will be able to host 1,000 people, which will draw major national and international events to Geelong.

Nyaal Banyul will have two exhibition spaces, food retail spaces, a public plaza and will be home to Geelong’s largest hotel – the 200-room Crowne Plaza hotel.

GCEC is being delivered as a precinct partnership, with the Plenary Conventions consortium contracted to finance, design, construct and maintain the facility for 25 years in partnership with the Victorian government and its funding partners under the Geelong City Deal.

The Victorian government is contributing $416 million towards the project, with the federal government contributing $30 million and the City of Greater Geelong $3 million.

Representatives from federal, state and local government toured the Nyaal Banyul construction site on Thursday last week.

“This project will attract events of all sizes from across the state, country and the globe to the heart of Geelong – supporting more local jobs and businesses and backing the region’s bright future,” Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said.

Corangamite federal member Libby Coker said the precinct was an important project for the Geelong region.

Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan said Nyaal Banyul would be a focal point for the Geelong community and a major contributor to the local economy.

For more information on the Geelong City Deal, head to infrastructure.gov.au/territories-regions-cities/cities