Designs for waterfront Geelong convention centre at carpark site released

Designs for Geelong’s long-awaited convention centre precinct, which includes a large waterfront hotel and plaza, have been revealed. SEE THE IMAGES

Proposed designs for the Geelong convention centre precinct, which includes a waterfront hotel and plaza, have been unveiled.

Plenary Conventions consortium was announced as the leader of the project on Monday.

The consortium includes Plenary Group, which was behind the Melbourne convention centre, and is an investor, developer and manager of public infrastructure in Australia and internationally.

Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre designs. Picture: Supplied

Construction group Built,global architecture studio Woods Bagot,property management company BGISand property group Quintessential Equity are also part of the consortium.

The venture will transform a 1.6ha waterfront carpark on Western Beach Rd into a precinct, with the construction of a purpose-built convention and exhibition space.

Designs for the Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Picture: Supplied

It will include a 1000-seat venue, two large exhibition spaces, meeting rooms, conference facilities and event spaces.

A new 200-room Crowne Plaza hotel will be built, while new retail spaces will feature hospitality offerings.

The precinct will also feature a large public plaza.

Designs for the Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Picture: Supplied

Victoria’s Regional Development Minister Harriet Shing said the project was expected to be completed at the beginning of 2026.

The federal government is investing $30m in the project as part of the Geelong City Deal, while the state government’s contribution is more than $260m and Geelong council’s $3m.

When questioned by the Addy, Ms Shing did not specify the cost of the site, which was bought from Deakin University.

“The funding all up is $260m, that includes the acquisition,” she said.

Designs for the Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Picture: Supplied

More than 600 jobs are expected to be created during construction, with an extra 270 ongoing jobs once the precinct is finished.

The state government is helping gforce recruit almost 30 new local apprentices and trainees who are experiencing disadvantage in entering the workforce.

Regional Development Minister Harriet Shing in Geelong on Monday. Picture: Brad Fleet

The Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre will be managed and operated by the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Trust.

Preliminary site works are under way and construction is expected to begin soon.

This carpark will become the convention centre precinct. Picture: Brad Fleet

Ms Shing said the project was a game-changer for a rapidly growing region, and would generate hundreds of jobs and inject millions of dollars into the local economy.

Deputy Prime Minister and Corio MP Richard Marles said the project would be one of the biggest developments in regional Victoria.

Mayor Trent Sullivan said the centrepiece project would take Geelong’s business and short-stay offering to a new level.

Originally published as Designs for waterfront Geelong convention centre at carpark site released