Fund this centre

THE Government of Daniel Andrews created the new regional partnership system to “give regional communities greater say about what matters to them” and “ensure their voices reach the heart of government”.

In doing so, the Government sidestepped existing lobby groups to select people it trusted to form the Government’s partner for the ‘Barwon’ region. And now, after months of work, that partner has plainly advised the Andrews Government: fund and build a convention centre for Geelong.

This ill-fated and longawaited project, which enjoys unanimous support from the leadership groups of this city, should not need further recommendation but it does.

The Premier himself proudly touted last year: “People have long talked about a convention centre for Geelong ... The time for talk is over. We’re getting the crucially needed planning and business case done, so we can consider it ahead of the (May 2017) Budget.”

When there was a screeching, burnt rubber U-turn just days out from that budget and Regional Development Minister Jaala Pulford had to front the press, she emphasised getting the project right.

What went unsaid was that Melbourne-centric bureaucrats had failed to properly monitor the consultants doing the business case for the foreshore convention centre and hotel proposal. Insiders have told there was a lack of alternatives considered and the seating count was set at a paltry 1000. But it was all looked at too late.

In advising the Government directly that this is a priority project that should be funded over others, the Barwon Regional Partnership will hopefully help secure a substantial locked-in commitment in the next state Budget.

Why would the Government create the partnership if it wasn’t going to listen to it?

It is appropriate that the advisory group has also emphasised education, business, and healthcare in the northern suburbs as key priorities for the Geelong region.