- Published:
- Thursday 18 January 2018
Local workers are leading the way on one of Victoria’s most important major projects – the Andrews Labor Government’s expansion of the Melbourne Convention Centre and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).
Acting Premier James Merlino and Acting Minister for Major Projects Luke Donnellan today visited the project site, where around 700 workers – including up to 60 apprentices – will work on the project during construction.
The expansion will add nearly 20,000 square metres of multi-purpose event space, including 9,000 metres of new exhibition halls, meeting rooms and banquet rooms.
One local contractor involved on the project is Melbourne-based steel fabricator Stilcon who are providing almost 3,000 tonnes of structural steel.
The expanded MCEC will be open for business in the middle of this year, bringing thousands of additional visitors to Victoria each year and adding more than 900 new ongoing jobs across the precinct.
Under the Andrews Labor Government’s Local Jobs First – Victorian Industry Participation Policy initiative, Victorian businesses and workers are benefitting from the government’s record infrastructure investment.
Through this scheme, projects worth more than $50 million are required to use local firms, materials, expertise and skills.
There is a pipeline of more than 30 current and upcoming major projects, with a combined value of $16 billion, which will support 10,600 current and new jobs.
The Labor Government has provided $205 million for the expansion of MCEC, which when complete is anticipated to generate an additional 74,000 international visitors annually who will spend on average around $693 each day whilst in Melbourne, resulting in an annual $167 million boost to our economy.
Quotes attributable to Acting Premier James Merlino
“We’re investing more in major projects than any Government in Victoria’s history, building infrastructure that creates jobs, grows our economy and enhances liveability for all Victorians.”
“Our investment will keep our restaurants and bars full, our hotels booked and economy strong.”
Quotes attributable to Acting Minister for Major Projects Luke Donnellan
“We’re putting local jobs first and ensuring that Victorian businesses get the opportunity to work on the biggest projects in the state.”