Local Jobs First For Geelong Convention Centre Build
16 October 2018
Victorian Government:
The Andrews Labor Government will put
local jobs and businesses first when building the
Geelong Convention and
Exhibition Centre.
Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford joined Member for
Geelong Christine Couzens and Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville to
announce the new state strategic project – ensuring local businesses and
workers will play a big role during construction.
Declaring the project a ‘strategic project’ means it will be required to
use 90 per cent local content under the Labor Government’s Local Jobs
First policy.
Local content includes labour, building materials and fittings like
concrete, glass and steel, as well as professional services like
engineering and design. The project has the potential to create up to
600
jobs during construction.
The Labor Government has announced $153.2 million in funding to the
project through the Geelong City Deal, yet the Federal Government has
still not come to the party nine months after signing a Memorandum of
Understanding.
Deakin University’s waterfront car park site has been identified as the
preferred site for the 1000-seat
convention centre, which would
stimulate tourism and business growth for the Geelong region.
The Convention Centre will deliver an estimated $350 million to the
regional economy during construction and $50 million to the region once
operational, with the potential to create 270 ongoing jobs in the
region.
To date, the Government has set local content requirements for 100
strategic projects totalling $58 billion, with hundreds of local
businesses and thousands of workers benefiting across the state.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development Jaala
Pulford
“By setting local content requirements for the Geelong Convention
Centre, we’re ensuring local tradies, suppliers and manufacturers will
have the opportunity to benefit from this landmark project.”
“It’s time the Federal Government stopped sitting on its hands and
delivered its share of the Geelong City Deal.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Industry and Employment Ben
Carroll
“We’re ensuring all Victorians benefit from our massive pipeline of
infrastructure projects, creating jobs right around the state.”
Quote attributable to Member for Geelong Christine Couzens
“The Liberals are quite happy to fund City deals in
Tasmania, Townsville and Western Sydney, but not here in Geelong –
the time for talking is over – this is about creating jobs right here in
Geelong.”
Quote attributable to Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville
“The Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre will breathe new life into
this iconic waterfront, while attracting new visitors and creating new
local jobs.”
--ENDS--
Source: Victorian Government - www.premier.vic.gov.au
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