The Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre (GCEC) is full steam ahead, with early works to put the superstructure in place underway.
Victorian Minister for Regional Development Gayle Tierney today joined Federal Member for Corangamite Libby Coker and City of Greater Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan at the GCEC site, where 12 local trainees and apprentices are working on the job thanks to support from the Albanese and Allan Labor governments and the City of Greater Geelong through the Geelong City Deal.
These 12 local workers will be joined by 16 more as the project progresses through the GCEC Early Engagement Social Procurement (GEESP) program.
By the time GCEC is complete, the 28 trainees and apprentices - who have experienced barriers to employment - will have received 12 weeks of fully funded training counting towards a Certificate II in Construction Pathways through Gordon TAFE.
The GEESP partnership has been co-designed by Development Victoria, the Give Where You Live Foundation's GROW initiative, social enterprise gforce and will be delivered by builder Built as the head contractor.
The program will support local businesses, individuals and the wider community by giving these trainees and apprentices real-world training and experience working with a team of 1,450 people on one of the most anticipated projects to be delivered in regional Victoria.
Through the GEESP program, Nyaal Banyul is establishing a gold standard for social procurement in government-led projects.
The Victorian Government is contributing $423 million towards Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre precinct, with the Australian Government contributing $30 million and the City of Greater Geelong $3 million.
The precinct partnership also includes an initial $120 million investment from Plenary Conventions to secure what will be Geelong's largest hotel, with a further $130 million earmarked to create a mixed-use development inside the precinct down the track.
For more information on the Geelong City Deal and precinct visit: infrastructure.gov.au/territories-regions-cities/cities.
As stated by Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Corio, Richard Marles
"It is fantastic to see young, local workers making an important contribution to projects like the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre, while also progressing their TAFE training."
"Once complete, the precinct will support more than 700 ongoing jobs and will be one of the first major civic developments in central Geelong supporting growth and change in our community."
As stated by Federal Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories Kristy McBain
"Nyaal Banyul is the premier project in the Geelong City Deal - a partnership between all three levels of government with the objective of revitalising the city and regional economy, while encouraging visitors to spend more time in the region by showcasing its natural assets."
As stated by Victorian Minister for Regional Development Gayle Tierney
"The Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre will support more than a thousand jobs during construction and hundreds more once complete, generating millions for the regional economy."
"The opportunity to receive training and work experience on a project like this is truly unique, and we're proud to be backing 28 local apprentices and trainees as they experience this valuable real-world training."
As stated by Minister for Development Victoria Colin Brooks
"We're getting on with this exciting project that will create local jobs during construction and boost the local economy when it's complete."
As stated by City of Greater Geelong Mayor Cr Trent Sullivan
"The City of Greater Geelong is proud to be partnering with the Victorian and Australian governments in delivering the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre, and it is exciting to see the progress that is being made on what will prove to be a world class facility in the heart of our city."
As stated by Member for Geelong Christine Couzens
"We're excited to see this project get underway, which will have flow on effects for local businesses, individuals and the wider community."
As stated by Plenary Conventions representative Damien Augustinus
"It's pleasing to see the progress being made towards the delivery of such a transformative project. We continue to work with our government and consortium partners, including Built, to ensure the project delivers strong local employment opportunities, social outcomes and lasting economic benefits to the Geelong region."
As stated by Give Where You Live Foundation CEO Bill Mithen
"The social procurement results delivered through Nyaal Banyul will contribute to GROW's goal of a future where everyone who wants to work has the opportunity and support to work, with a particular focus on addressing long-term unemployment and supporting suburbs in our region with higher levels of disadvantage."
