2.1.1 Introduction
In April 2004, the Government released, Victoria : Leading the Way1, a key economic statement on Victoria's role as a competitive force in the global marketplace. The statement included a commitment to develop a "world class" convention centre on the banks of the Yarra River, adjacent to the existing Melbourne Exhibition Centre.
The Melbourne Convention Centre Development (MCCD) is being delivered under the Partnerships Victoria (PV) policy2 by:
• Major Projects Victoria (MPV), a division of the Department of Infrastructure (DOI)
• the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development (DIIRD)
• the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust (MCET).
The Melbourne City Council has provided funding towards a new pedestrian bridge across the Yarra, and various public domain elements of the project.
The new convention centre's plenary hall will accommodate 5 000 delegates. It will also have the capacity to be subdivided to cater simultaneously for up to 3 smaller plenary configurations of 2 500, 1 500 and 1 000 persons. The centre will also include:
• a ballroom
• an 18-metre high glass wall façade fronting the Yarra River
• 32 meeting rooms of various sizes
• a ground-level foyer for 8 400 guests.
Artist’s impression of an internal view of the plenary hall.
In addition to the convention centre, the project is a catalyst for redevelopment of the surrounding area, including:
• a 10 000 square metre riverfront retail promenade that will include cafes and tourism retail
• a 396-room hotel
• an 18 000 square metre office tower (with some adjoining residential apartments)
• a 50 000 square metre "homemaker" retail complex.
The heritage protected maritime precinct incorporating the Polly Woodside Maritime Museum will be revitalised as part of the development. It has also been agreed in principle with the developer to incorporate remnants of the old South Wharf docks and associated cargo sheds into the commercial development.
The public-private partnership (PPP) contract was awarded in early 2006 to a consortium led by The Plenary Group3, which includes Deutsche Bank (debt), Multiplex Group (builder and facilities manager), Austexx (commercial precinct developer) and NH Architects/Woods Bagot/Larry Oltmanns (architects and designers). Construction of the new centre is due to be completed by the end of 2008, and is expected to open for business in 2009.
After completion, MCET will market and operate the centre and The Plenary Group will be responsible for the upkeep of the facility and operation of ancillary services for 25 years.
Aerial view of the Melbourne Convention Centre Development site.
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1 Information on Victoria: Leading The Way can be found at http://www.diird.vic.gov.au/CORPLIVE/STANDARD/1001/PC_65135.html>.
2 The Partnerships Victoria policy is the State of Victoria's policy approach for Public Private Partnerships and can be found at <www.partnerships.vic.gov.au>.
3 Details on The Plenary Group's involvement in the project can be found at their corporate web site <http://www.plenarygroup.com/Projects/Melbourne-Convention-Centre.html?Title=Melbourne%20Convention%20Centre>.