A 200-room hotel and 3700sqm convention centre will form the centrepiece of the Geelong City Deal — a 10 year plan to revitalise the area.

Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCEC) will be developed on a 1.6-hectare waterfront site in central Geelong and will seat 1000 people when completed. The flexible multipurpose space will be designed to accommodate small and large events concurrently.

The GCEC, which will be operated by the Victorian Government and managed privately, is expected to attract a wide range of events, and better connect the area to the CBD and Western Beach.

Meanwhile, the private sector will finance and develop the upscale hotel and commercial spaces through a deal that may include development agreements and the opportunity for long-term tenure and complementary developments.

The project is being delivered by the Victorian Government’s development agency, Development Victoria, on behalf of Rural and Regional Victoria and the Geelong City Deal.

The Victorian Government will contribute $261 million to the project, while the Australian Government is contributing $30 million. A further $3 million will be put forward by the City of Greater Geelong for public realm enhancements.

The Victorian Government is also considering opportunities for private residential accommodation and other complementary commercial developments.

The State is undertaking preparatory works on the site this year, while Development Victoria will conduct an industry briefing as well as a targeted market sounding process.

For more information visit https://development.vic.gov.au/gcec.