The Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre precinct development is a step closer to reality with Plenary Conventions appointed to lead the project.
The precinct will include the construction of the purpose-built convention and exhibition space, incorporating a 1,000-seat venue, two large exhibition spaces, meeting rooms, conference facilities and flexible event spaces.
The precinct will also be home to retail spaces for F&B offerings and a large public plaza that will become a feature of the Geelong waterfront. In a boost for Geelong’s up-market accommodation stocks, the development will also include a 200-room hotel under the Crowne Plaza brand.
Preliminary works on the site are underway and construction is set to begin shortly, with completion of the convention centre and hotel set for early 2026.
The development also included extensive stakeholder consultation with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation on critical aspects of the precinct’s design, identity and recognition of local cultural heritage.
The transformation of the 1.6-hectare waterfront car parking site into the Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre precinct is said to be one of the biggest developments in regional Victoria. The consortium comprises the Plenary Group as sponsor and investor, Built as builder, Woods Bagot as architect, BGIS as services contractor and Quintessential Equity as developer.
This entire project will be a major driver of jobs and economic growth for the City of Greater Geelong and surrounding areas. It will support 600 jobs during construction and an additional 270 ongoing jobs once the precinct is complete.
To ensure lasting benefits to the region beyond the centre itself, the Government is supporting local organisations in recruiting up to 30 new local apprentices and trainees who are experiencing disadvantage in entering the workforce. Apprentices will be employed full time for the duration of their apprenticeship until they secure full-time employment with private contractors.
The Plenary Conventions consortium has a proven track record developing and maintaining the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and in the South Wharf precinct for nearly 20years.
The Trust that operates Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre will also manage and operate the new Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre. When completed, the two centres will cement Victoria as a premier global destination for events.
The Victorian Government is investing more than A$260 million (US$175.6 million) into the project as part of the Geelong City Deal, with additional contributions of A$30 million from the Australian Government and A$3 million from the City of Greater Geelong.
The precinct development is the centrepiece of the Geelong City Deal – a A$500 million commitment between the Australian and Victorian governments and the City of Greater Geelong.
