Action on icon at last

REVELATIONS the State Government will formally commit more than $150 million for Geelong projects, the lion’s share to a convention centre, are welcome indeed.

Wise heads have been calling for this project for decades while it has been the recipient of very bad luck along the way.

But within the last two years a strong campaign by this newspaper, as well as various local stakeholders and lobby groups finally unifying on the issue, has seen that luck starting to change.

These are good times for Geelong, not least due to a property boom. But if we fail to plan for the future they won’t last very long.

The attractiveness of a bayside complex featuring a modern hotel, convention and exhibition centre and spectacular views is self-evident.

We have arguably been outgunned in the past by other regional cities when it comes to making Geelong an arts and music destination. Too much tourism in this region skips our city. And too many visitors to our world-class sporting events dribble back down the road uncaptured.

A convention centre precinct could provide a solution to much of this unfinished business as well as allowing us to tout for trade in the national and international convention market.

The State Government commitment by no means makes this ‘mission accomplished’. We need clarity that the convention space has adequate seating capacity and we need to ensure this icon is special for our city. The Federal Government need to match the funding in their own Budget next week pursuant to their own City Deal process.

But at least there is now momentum for a much-needed project many saw disappearing yet again for another generation.

There are some who will oppose this project, complain about aspects of it, or seek to destroy it for their own political purposes. But the time is ripe for everyone to come together and achieve something spectacular for Geelong.