New Melbourne Convention Centre scheduled to open in 2009

The Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB) has welcomed the Victorian government’s announcement appointing Multiplex/Plenary Consortium as the successful tenderer for the Melbourne Convention Centre contract.

The consortia’s $1 billion proposal includes a 5,000 seat, six-star energy rated convention centre, a five star Hilton Hotel, an office and residential tower, a riverfront promenade of retail shops, a premium brand homemaker retail complex and an investment in public spaces including a partnership with the National Trust for a revitalized Maritime Museum.

Construction is scheduled to start after the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games and the centre is expected to be operational in 2009.

“MCVB pays tribute to the state government in driving this project and congratulates Multiplex/Plenary Consortium, the successful tenderer,” said Garry Kingshott, CEO, MCVB.

“This announcement is a major milestone in the construction of Australia’s largest exhibition and convention precinct. The new centre will strengthen Melbourne’s position as Australia’s business events capital,” he said.

Since the state government announced it would construct the new 5,000 seat convention centre, MCVB has heightened its focus on the competitive international meetings and convention market.

“At MCVB our core objective is to win the largest and most valuable events for Melbourne and Victoria. Since the announcement 5 large international events have been secured for the new centre worth almost A$70 million to the state,” said Mr Kingshott.

The new centre is part of a public-private partnership project that will complete the urban renewal of the Yarra River’s edge, linking Southbank to Docklands and creating a commercial and lifestyle district down the river’s spine to the bay’s edge and port districts.

The Convention Centre will also feature:

- A ball room
- An 18 metre high glass wall façade fronting the Yarra
- A gala seating system in the Plenary Hall to allow flexible seating configurations
- 32 meeting rooms
- a ground foyer for 11,000 guests

The state government is contributing A$370 million to the project and the Melbourne City Council will also invest A$43 million.

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