Premier

Local Jobs First For Geelong Convention Centre Build

10 October 2018

The Andrews Labor Government will put local jobs and businesses first when building the Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford joined Member for Geelong Christine Couzens and Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville to announce the new state strategic project – ensuring local businesses and workers will play a big role during construction.

Declaring the project a ‘strategic project’ means it will be required to use 90 per cent local content under the Labor Government’s Local Jobs First policy.

Local content includes labour, building materials and fittings like concrete, glass and steel, as well as professional services like engineering and design. The project has the potential to create up to 600 jobs during construction.

The Labor Government has announced $153.2 million in funding to the project through the Geelong City Deal, yet the Federal Government has still not come to the party nine months after signing a Memorandum of Understanding.

Deakin University’s waterfront car park site has been identified as the preferred site for the 1000-seat convention centre, which would stimulate tourism and business growth for the Geelong region.

The Convention Centre will deliver an estimated $350 million to the regional economy during construction and $50 million to the region once operational, with the potential to create 270 ongoing jobs in the region.

To date, the Government has set local content requirements for 100 strategic projects totalling $58 billion, with hundreds of local businesses and thousands of workers benefiting across the state.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford

“By setting local content requirements for the Geelong Convention Centre, we’re ensuring local tradies, suppliers and manufacturers will have the opportunity to benefit from this landmark project.”

“It’s time the Federal Government stopped sitting on its hands and delivered its share of the Geelong City Deal.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll

“We’re ensuring all Victorians benefit from our massive pipeline of infrastructure projects, creating jobs right around the state.”

Quote attributable to Member for Geelong Christine Couzens

“The Liberals are quite happy to fund City deals in Tasmania, Townsville and Western Sydney, but not here in Geelong – the time for talking is over – this is about creating jobs right here in Geelong.”

Quote attributable to Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville

“The Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre will breathe new life into this iconic waterfront, while attracting new visitors and creating new local jobs.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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