http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/10/04/1096871818627.html
First booking for new convention centre
By Misha Ketchell
October 5, 2004
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An artist's impression of the new convention centre.
Victoria has taken the first booking for its planned 5000-seat convention centre - a congress on internal medicine in 2010, the State Government has announced.
Premier Steve Bracks yesterday said 4000 delegates would come to Melbourne for the International Society of Internal Medicine congress. The event would generate an estimated $22 million for Victoria's economy, he said.
The $800 million convention centre is to be built on the Mazda site next to the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.
Mr Bracks said Victoria would not have been able to host a conference of this size had the Government not decided to build the new convention centre, due to be finished in 2008.
The State Government has agreed to invest $367 million in the centre and is seeking almost $400 million from the private sector.
The Government hopes to enter a public-private partnership to build a hotel, restaurants and shops, and possibly a residential development, around the centre.
Lord Mayor John So said the Melbourne City Council had agreed to invest $43 million in the project and the money would be spent on infrastructure in the area.
Tourism Minister John Pandazopoulos said the 2010 conference would raise Victoria's international profile, particularly among business leaders and scientists.
Opposition major projects spokeswoman Louise Asher said the Government had put the cart before the horse in announcing a convention when the buildings were unfunded and there was no developer.
"It would be preferable to announce who is going to build the project," she said. "Given the Government's track record, it is unlikely the centre will commence operations by 2008, and I wish the Government well for 2010."
First booking for new convention centre
By Misha Ketchell
October 5, 2004
An artist's impression of the new convention centre.
Victoria has taken the first booking for its planned 5000-seat convention centre - a congress on internal medicine in 2010, the State Government has announced.
Premier Steve Bracks yesterday said 4000 delegates would come to Melbourne for the International Society of Internal Medicine congress. The event would generate an estimated $22 million for Victoria's economy, he said.
The $800 million convention centre is to be built on the Mazda site next to the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.
Mr Bracks said Victoria would not have been able to host a conference of this size had the Government not decided to build the new convention centre, due to be finished in 2008.
The State Government has agreed to invest $367 million in the centre and is seeking almost $400 million from the private sector.
The Government hopes to enter a public-private partnership to build a hotel, restaurants and shops, and possibly a residential development, around the centre.
Lord Mayor John So said the Melbourne City Council had agreed to invest $43 million in the project and the money would be spent on infrastructure in the area.
Tourism Minister John Pandazopoulos said the 2010 conference would raise Victoria's international profile, particularly among business leaders and scientists.
Opposition major projects spokeswoman Louise Asher said the Government had put the cart before the horse in announcing a convention when the buildings were unfunded and there was no developer.
"It would be preferable to announce who is going to build the project," she said. "Given the Government's track record, it is unlikely the centre will commence operations by 2008, and I wish the Government well for 2010."
And it looks like another highrise tower on Southbank next to the Charles Grimes Bridge. Its almost an extension of Yarras Edge!
