Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre

Plenary Conventions delivered the $449 million Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre precinct development, which will be one of the biggest developments in regional Victoria.

Located on Wadawurrung Country on the Geelong waterfront, Nyaal Banyul features a purpose-built convention and exhibition centre with a 1,000-seat venue, two large exhibition spaces, conference facilities, flexible event spaces and meeting rooms with prime views of Corio Bay.

The precinct development also includes private sector investment in associated commercial development comprising an initial $130 million investment to deliver Geelong’s largest hotel – a 200-room Crowne Plaza hotel – and a further $130 million in future education and commercial spaces within a mixed-use precinct.

Plenary provides 100% of the equity financing for the convention centre, hotel and mixed-use precinct. Debt is provided by leading domestic and international banks ANZ, Westpac and ICBC.

Sustainability

Plenary Conventions arranged Green Loan financing for the project.

The Green Loan was issued under the project’s Sustainable Finance Framework, which is aligned to green loan principles.

Nyaal Banyul has been awarded the internationally recognised WELL Health-Safety Rating, becoming the first convention centre in the Asia-Pacific region to achieve the certification.

The achievement builds on Nyaal Banyul’s sustainability credentials, following its recent 5-Star Green Star rating, which recognises excellence in environmentally sustainable building practices. In addition, Plenary Conventions has committed to a pathway to achieve a 6-Star rating.

Local economic benefits

During construction, the project supported around 1,500 jobs and Built worked with a host of local subcontractors and suppliers to maximise local content including a partnership with local recruitment firm gforce to support 28 new local apprentice and trainee positions from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Locally owned and operated roofing company, Faulkner Roofing, installed 8,000 square metres of roofing across the entire centre – providing 4,000 hours of work for three Geelong‑based roof plumbing apprentices as part of the Nyaal Banyul Early Engagement Social Procurement (GEESP) program.

Geelong-based Hanlon Industries supplied 400 tonnes of locally manufactured steel for the structures and hosted two boilermaker apprentices and two labourers from the GEESP program at its Corio factory – creating 1,200 hours of full-time work and long-term job opportunities.

Through their involvement in the project, these apprentices gained valuable skills to take into their future careers and experienced working with a team of more than 500 people on one of the most exciting and anticipated projects delivered in regional Victoria.

The GEESP partnership was co-designed by Development Victoria, the Give Where You Live Foundation’s GROW initiative, social enterprise gforce and delivered by Built as head contractor. Through the GEESP program, Nyaal Banyul established a gold standard for social procurement in government-led projects.

Local community benefits

Public art is a core part of the precinct’s overall design approach to help deliver a welcoming environment for all visitors, surrounding residents and the broader community.

Geelong-born and internationally acclaimed artist Rone created a mural celebrating the rich cultural and social history of Geelong, which stretches 88 metres across the exterior of the Nyaal Banyul development.