Uncertainty over Geelong convention centre’s future

Construction of the $174m Geelong Convention Centre is due to start “early” next year but the state government and Deakin University are keeping quiet on the project’s future.

Construction of the $174m Geelong Convention Centre is due to start “early” next year but the state government and Deakin University won’t elaborate on the project’s future.

Publicly neither party would say if the Deakin University car park land at Gheringhap St would be leased or sold as the government moves to build the city-shaping project.

But sources have told the Geelong Advertiser the state government had considered buying the land.

A 985m2 property at 1 and 3 Cavendish St, that shares a boundary with the car park, is currently on the market with price hopes of around $5.5m.

The Deakin car park site, which falls in a different land zone, is about 10 times the size of the Cavendish St block.

Property sources said the land would need to be rezoned before construction of the convention centre could commence.

Asked if Deakin University was playing “hard ball” on the terms of a sale or lease of the land, Premier Daniel Andrews issued a coy response a fortnight ago.

“Deakin is … very, very professional in the way that they engage. They want to get the best value for their future.”

The $174m project is funded between the federal government ($30m); the state government ($141.2m) and Geelong council ($3m) under the Geelong City Deal.

The convention centre is expected to include a 1000-seat plenary hall and at least 3700m2 of multi-purpose space that can be configured to incorporate an exhibition hall, breakout rooms and a banquet room.

Deakin University was given an opportunity to respond to Mr Andrews comments, and was asked if the terms it was seeking for the land were unrealistic, but Vice-Chancellor Iain Martin was non-specific.

“We continue to work constructively and responsively with the State Government on its plans for the Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre,” Professor Martin said.

“Discussions are progressing well and Deakin understands the State Government will soon provide a further update on developments.”

Professor Martin did not respond to questions about Deakin's intention to sell or lease the land, how negotiations had progressed, or if sale or lease of the land had been reached.

This year Deakin has repeatedly not answered questions about negotiations on the convention centre.

A state government spokesman said details on the progress of the project would be provided “soon.”

“We are working in close collaboration with key project stakeholders including Deakin University, who are jointly committed to delivering the best possible outcome for Geelong and the broader region,” the spokesman said.

“Discussions are well progressed and we look forward to providing further details on the progress of this important project soon.”

The convention centre is expected to create 600 jobs during the estimated three-year construction period and another 270 ongoing jobs once completed.

Originally published as Uncertainty over Geelong convention centre’s future