Geelong City Deal
Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:43): I would like to update the house on the work underway as part of the Geelong City Deal. A recent announcement is the Geelong-born, internationally acclaimed artist Rone is currently in the middle of creating a stunning 88-metre-wide mural in celebration of the local community at the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre waterfront development. The mural features the faces of 14 locals, who I am sure will be well known to Minister Tierney, and celebrates Geelong’s rich social and cultural history. Located on the southern wall of the precinct along Smythe Street, it will create a lasting piece of public art that is truly about celebrating Geelong. The waterfront development is set to bring major economic benefits to Geelong, with a thousand-seat theatre, two large event spaces, meeting rooms and conference facilities. There is space for food and beverage, a public plaza and a 200-room hotel under the internationally renowned Crowne Plaza brand. The development is also setting the pace for work opportunities for people who have experienced barriers to employment, so not only is this going to be a major employer for the region, there is ability to make sure that, through our investment, people who might be falling through the gaps will no longer be doing so. One such example is a joint Victorian government, industry and community program which will bring together an opportunity for 43 apprentices and more than 37 hours of training delivered in mechanical, carpentry, plumbing and electrical trades. When the project is completed, the number is expected to reach 45,000 hours, showcasing the skills and job creation power of the project.
The Twelve Apostles visitor experience centre project is also well underway, one that will transform how domestic and international visitors experience Victoria’s most famous coastal landscape. The project is already delivering benefits during the construction phase, creating up to 90 full-time positions. A range of local companies, including operators from Warrnambool, Colac, Geelong and Ballarat, have also been involved, providing a boost to the local construction sector and supply chains in many parts of the state. This is all part of the $676 million Geelong City Deal investment from our Labor government in partnership with the federal government and the City of Greater Geelong to revitalise the region and its economy.