The project 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 | Expected Contract Award |
| Dec 2023 | Expected Construction Commencement |
| Jul 2026 | Expected Construction Completion |
Funding contributions
| Federal Government | |
| Victorian Government | |
| Local Council |
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. |
| Procurement note: | In May 2023, the Victorian Government announced that the shortlist for the project was refined to two consortia: Plenary Conventions and Kinetik. |
PROJECT HISTORY
| Mar 2019 | Geelong Convention Centre announced through the Geelong City Deal. |
| Dec 2021 | The Victorian Government allocated an additional $120 million to the project. |
| 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. |
| 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 Victorian Government announced that the shortlist for the project was refined to two consortia: Plenary Conventions, comprising Plenary Group, Built, BGIS, Woods Bagot, WSP and 4D Workshop; and Kinetik, comprising Tetris Capital, Amber Australia, Kane Constructions, ISS Facility Services, CostaFox Developments, Warren & Mahoney and Six Degrees. |
