Construction to start on city’s $200m civic precinct
WORKS on Geelong’s new $200 million Mercer St civic precinct will begin this week, paving the way for the creation of almost 1000 jobs to boost the local economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The City of Greater Geelong has reaffirmed its commitment to hiring local workers and suppliers, hiring Fyansford company Perry Demolitions to begin works by clearing the CBD land.
The CoGG and Quintessential Equity will partner on the $220 million project to build the new six-storey city headquarters and a 12-storey commercial building developed by Quintessential Equity, with the city pitching $102.5 million of the costs.
The CoGG today revealed pre-construction demolition along Bayley St would begin this week, with construction of the major precinct to launch at the end of July.
“This major city and commercial investment in the heart of Geelong is vital to driving future business confidence in central Geelong, especially during these times of economic uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” CoGG chief executive Martin Cutter said. “Importantly, with the cost of the project coming from borrowings and some asset sales at a time of record low interest rates, this project will provide significant support in to our local economy when we need it most, without impacting on residents’ rates.”
The CoGG and Quintessential Equity appointed builder Westpac to deliver the major project, with a target set for 60 per cent local procurement to help create about 900 jobs for businesses and suppliers in the region.
“Council is especially pleased to see the significant commitments being made by the city’s project partners and builders to ensuring there are opportunities for local suppliers to benefit from construction of this project,” Mayor Stephanie Asher said.
The project site at 137 Mercer St, currently a paid car park opposite Geelong police station, will be handed over to project builders on Saturday.
Quintessential Equity executive chairman Shane Quinn said the civic precinct was a “landmark project in Australia’s fastest growing regional city”.
“Through our focus on local procurement and creating opportunities on the ground, this precinct will help to boost the local economy at a time when this is so critically important,” Mr Quinn said. The city had tasked developers with delivering an “iconic” centrepiece for the city through the project, with COX Architects’ wood panel Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) design picked as the city’s favoured proposal late last year.
COX Architecture design director Patrick Ness last year said the CLT design was a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional materials, and would be sourced from Avalon-based Cross Laminated Offsite Solutions.
Designs for the new HQ boast the highest standards of sustainable design, including a 6 Star Green Star Design and As-Built Rating and a 6 Star NABERS Energy Rating.