Work on Geelong $456m Event Precinct Moves Ahead

Work is moving ahead on a $456-million event centre in Victoria’s second city.

The first tower crane is now on the site of the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre, which will transform 1.6ha of waterfront land into a events precinct that will “revitalise the city and regional economy”.

As the centrepiece of the Geelong City Deal, the precinct will include the purpose-built convention and exhibition space, incorporating a 1000-seat venue, two large exhibition spaces, meeting rooms, conference facilities and flexible event spaces, overlooking Corio Bay.

Built construction director Andrew Morgan said the firm had completed early works with bulk excavation now under way and the first tower crane on site.

▲ The first crane on the site, and Built’s Andrew Morgan with Aunty Mary Shuttleworth, Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation.

“An additional three tower cranes will arrive onsite over coming months to facilitate four concurrent construction zones and an associated workforce boom,” Morgan said.

“The onsite construction workforce will grow to near 200 by mid-year and 500 by year end, in addition to Built’s primarily local 50-member project team, creating employment opportunities for skilled locals, as well as jobseekers experiencing barriers to work.”

Slated for completion in 2026, the precinct is then expected to support more than 700 jobs.

It is one of the first major civic developments in central Geelong under the Central Geelong Framework Plan—a 30-year vision to support growth and change in central Geelong.

Nyaal Banyul is being delivered as part of the Geelong City Deal, a collaborative partnership to transform Geelong and the Great Ocean Road by the federal and Victorian governments, and the City of Greater Geelong

The project is being led by the Plenary Conventions consortium, which is financing, designing, building and maintaining Nyaal Banyul and the broader precinct that includes Geelong’s largest hotel and quality retail and mixed-use commercial spaces.

The Victorian Government is contributing $423 million to the Nyaal Banyul project, with the Australian Government contributing $30 million and the City of Greater Geelong contributing $3 million.