Nyaal Banyul - Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre will see the construction of a 1,000-seat convention centre and 3,700 square metre exhibition space, as well as development of a 200-room hotel and retail and commercial spaces.
The project is proposed to be delivered as a Public Private Partnership (PPP). Following delivery of the convention and exhibition centre, it will continue to be operated by the Victorian Government, with facilities management services provided by the private sector.
The private sector will finance and construct the hotel, retail and commercial spaces through a structured transaction, which may include development agreements and the opportunity for long-term tenure for the hotel and complementary developments.
Key Dates
| Mar 2019 | Project Announcement |
| May 2022 | ROIs Open |
| May 2022 | ROIs Close |
| May 2022 | EOIs Open |
| Jun 2022 | EOIs Close |
| Jul 2023 | Preferred Bidder Announced |
| Dec 2023 | Expected Construction Commencement |
| Dec 2023 | Financial Close |
| Jul 2026 | Expected Construction Completion |
Funding contributions
| Federal Government | |
| Victorian Government | |
| Local Council | |
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The project is being delivered as part of the $500 million Geelong City Deal. Prior to reaching financial close, the Victorian Government has allocated $261 million to the project. The Victorian Government will provide all funding above the $30 million from the Federal Government and $3 million from City of Greater Geelong. |
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Financing
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Plenary is providing 100 per cent of the equity financing for the convention centre, hotel and mixed-use precinct. |
Procurement
| Procuring Agency: | Development Victoria |
| Shortlist: | Kinetik – comprising Tetris Capital, Amber Australia, Kane Constructions, ISS Facility Services, CostaFox Developments, Warren & Mahoney and Six Degrees. Geelong Live – comprising Capella Capital, Aware Super, Lendlease Building, Honeywell, MAB Corporation, Populous, Hassell, Freadman White and Oculus. Plenary Conventions – comprising Plenary Group, Built, BGIS, Woods Bagot, WSP and 4D Workshop. |
| Successful Tenderer: | Plenary Conventions – comprising Plenary Group, Built, BGIS, Woods Bagot, WSP and 4D Workshop. |
| Procurement note: | The project is being delivered as a precinct partnership under the Victorian Government’s new infrastructure procurement framework. |
PROJECT HISTORY
| Mar 2019 | Geelong Convention Centre announced through the Geelong City Deal. |
| Dec 2021 | Project scope changed to add hotel, retail and commercial spaces, with additional Victorian Government funding commitment of $120 million. This took the total Victorian funding commitment to $260 million, with the Federal Government providing $30 million and Geelong Council providing $3 million. |
| Dec 2021 | The Victorian Government allocated an additional $120 million to the project. |
| Jan 2022 | The project's early works commenced. |
| Mar 2022 | Development Victoria provided an industry update, indicating market sounding had commenced by invitation-only. EOIs are expected to be taken in the second quarter of 2022, with RFPs to be released to shortlisted bidders in the third quarter of 2022. |
| May 2022 | Development Victoria opened Registrations of Interest (ROIs) for the delivery of the GCEC, closing 6 May. The ROI document confirmed the project will be delivered as an Availability Public Private Partnership. |
| May 2022 | Development Victoria opened Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for the delivery of the GCEC, closing 8 June. |
| May 2022 | The Victorian Government announced that the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust will operate the Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre. |
| Aug 2022 | The Victorian Government announced the shortlisted bidders for the delivery of the project, with the successful bidder expected to be announced in mid-2023. |
| May 2023 | The shortlist was announced. |
| Jul 2023 | The Victorian Government announced that Plenary Conventions was selected as the preferred bidder. |
| Aug 2023 | The project was officially named Nyaal Banyul - Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre, being gifted a Wadawurrung language name by the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation. |
| Dec 2023 | The Victorian Government reached financial close with the Plenary Conventions consortium for the $456 million Convention Centre. The Victorian Government's $423 million allocation to the project is $162 million greater than the $261 million that has previously been allocated to the project. |
Regional Development Victoria - Project Page
