‘Fills me with pride’: Traditional owners laud Geelong convention centre facade

Stakeholders have gathered at the Geelong convention centre to inspect the 25,000 tile facade that reflects the Western Beach cliffs that are of deep cultural significance to Wadawurrung people. SEE THE VIDEO.

Construction of the $450m Geelong convention centre continues to steam ahead, with completion of the north-facing facade soon to be crossed off the list.

The Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC) played a key role in its design, which features 25,000 ceramic tiles and is intended to reflect Geelong’s Western Beach cliffs that are of deep cultural significance.

Located on Western Beach Rd next to Deakin University’s Waterfront campus, the convention centre and its 1000-seat theatre form the cornerstone of a 1.6ha precinct – officially known at Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre – that is expected to open in its entirety in mid-2026.

The latest look at the Geelong convention centre. Picture: Alan Barber.

Among other offerings will be an 11-storey, 200-room Crowne Plaza hotel, restaurants and retail spaces, large public plaza and commercial office tower.

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

Drone shots of Nyaal Banyul. State government and Plenary Group representatives gave an update on where things are at with the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre. Picture: Alan Barber

A range of stakeholders gathered at the site on Thursday afternoon to inspect the latest works.

“Seeing the build taking shape on Wadawurrung Country, reflecting Djilang’s Western Beach cliffs as part of the co-design, fills me with pride,” WTOAC’s Corrina Eccles said.

“The Western Beach cliffs are an important Cultural place for us, where our old people gathered together, yarned and celebrated together.

“Djilang residents and visitors can gather, yarn and celebrate here at Nyaal Banyul.”

The project, originally expected to cost $294m, is being funded largely by the state government as part of the Geelong City Deal, with the federal government and City Hall also contributing.

Plenary Group is managing the project and funding construction of the $120m hotel and $130m commercial component as part of a public-private partnership.

“The design of Nyaal Banyul is a great example of the outcomes that can be delivered by taking a partnership approach to procurement and design, and marks the next exciting step in the delivery of a whole precinct that will help strengthen and grow the region’s tourism and major events industry for decades to come,” incoming Plenary chief executive Paul Crowe said.

Stakeholders gathered give the latest update about the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre. Picture: Alan Barber.

Mayor Stretch Kontelj said the convention centre would enhance Geelong’s reputation as a major event hub.

“It will be a landmark investment in our future and a tremendous asset for our community,” he said.

Corangamite MP Libby Coker said the precinct would be a boon for local tourism and businesses.

Landscaping works and the interior fit-out are progressing, with more than 500 tradespeople onsite daily.

Originally published as ‘Fills me with pride’: Traditional owners laud Geelong convention centre facade