Deakin to keep parking spaces

Centre project deal

DEAKIN University will not lose any waterfront parking when the Geelong Convention Centre is built on its carpark, it has been revealed.

Deakin chief operating officer Kean Selway wrote to staff members on Wednesday to announce the school would retain 540 carparks at the Convention Centre, which is to be built on the university’s waterfront carpark.

“The Victorian Government has today publicly committed to locate the Geelong Convention Centre on Deakin’s Waterfront campus carpark — a key milestone for this project of state significance,” Mr Selway wrote in the email.

“Deakin has received a welcome commitment for 540 carparks for student and staff use — ensuring no loss of parking — as part of the Victorian Government’s vision for the Geelong Convention Centre.”

He said the university would work with the state and federal governments on the final design of the project.

On Tuesday, the State Government included $153.2 million in the State Budget for the Geelong City Deal, an agreement between all levels of government to fund major projects in the city.

The long-awaited Geelong Convention Centre will be the centrepiece of the City Deal, with the Government revealing its Deakin waterfront carpark location on Wednesday.

Lara MP John Eren said the Federal Government needed to match the $153.2 million as its half of the City Deal agreement.

“We’re shovel-ready almost, and we want the Federal Government to come on board,” Mr Eren said at the Deakin carpark site.

He said he expected the Geelong City Deal to have a return of $3.50 for every dollar spent — a forecast windfall of more than $1 billion — and projected the creation of 1000 new jobs each year.

The proposed convention centre is set to include 3700sqm of multipurpose space with an exhibition hall and banquet room, a plenary hall with at least 1000 seats, breakout rooms and circulation spaces with views of the waterfront.

The State Government will invest $153.2 million for the Geelong City Deal, with the majority going to building the convention centre, along with delivering on the Shipwreck Coast masterplan, revitalising the city centre and transforming the Geelong Waterfront Safe Harbour Precinct.