Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre precinct is making its mark on the Geelong skyline, as the Crowne Plaza hotel reaches the highest point of construction this week.

The project is supported by the Albanese and Allan Labor Governments and the City of Greater Geelong through the Geelong City Deal.

Victorian Minister for Regional Development Gayle Tierney and Federal Member for Corangamite, Libby Coker MP, joined with local workers to attend a topping out ceremony for the project.

The topping out ceremony is a traditional construction milestone, with a symbolic tree lifted onto the roof to signify the building has reached its highest point.

The precinct’s highest point is the top of a new 200-room Crowne Plaza hotel, which represents one of Geelong’s most significant private sector tourism investments.

It will be Geelong’s biggest hotel once finished, and is being developed and funded by Plenary Group and operated by IHG Hotels and Resorts as part of the Nyaal Banyul precinct partnership

The hotel, which will offer stunning views of Corio Bay, will revitalise Geelong’s waterfront, along with Nyaal Banyul’s two exhibition spaces, food retail spaces, and public plaza, located within the precinct.

The precinct is expected to be completed in 2026, and will boost visitation to Geelong and support hundreds of ongoing jobs.

It is also supporting local jobs throughout construction. Around 1,500 workers have worked on site, including 17 Geelong priority jobseekers working in a range of apprenticeship skillsets and opportunities for women in construction.

The Nyaal Banyul GCEC Early Engagement Social Procurement (GEESP) program is also offering training and qualification opportunities through delivery of 60,000 employment hours to local priority jobseekers who have experienced barriers to employment.

Nyaal Banyul is being delivered as a precinct partnership, with the Plenary Conventions consortium contracted to finance, design, construct and maintain the facility for 25 years.

The Victorian Government is contributing $416.1 million towards Nyaal Banyul, with the Australian Government contributing $30 million and the City of Greater Geelong $3 million.

The surrounding precinct has also attracted around $250 million of private sector investment in associated commercial development in the hotel and future commercial development.

For more information on the Geelong City Deal and precinct visit: infrastructure.gov.au/territories-regions-cities/cities.

Quotes attributable to Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Member for Corio, Richard Marles

“This modern events space will help grow Geelong as a destination for a range of visitors, from vacationers to conferences organisers, well into the future.

“The Government’s investment is boosting our local economy and supporting hundreds of ongoing jobs in the Geelong community.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Regional Development and Local Government, Kristy McBain

“It is fantastic to see the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre reach its highest construction point. The impressive structure gives a very tangible sense of how this precinct will be a draw card for tourism in the region once it is completed.

“This project is supporting local jobs and unlocking economic opportunities – and is part of our commitment to work across all levels of government to boost the liveability of our regions.”

Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Corangamite, Libby Coker

“The Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre is a game-changing, forward-looking project that will attract so many visitors to our region and serve as a catalyst for more tourism on the Surf Coast and Bellarine.

“I’m so excited that we’ve now reached this significant milestone, and I’d like to acknowledge the awesome workforce on the ground, including local Free TAFE recipients, who are ensuring this project becomes a reality.

Quotes attributable to Victorian Minister for Regional Development, Gayle Tierney

“This is such an exciting development, and I’m pleased to see Nyaal Banyul continuing to take shape and become part of the Geelong skyline.”

“The precinct will be an incredible boost for tourism and visitation in Geelong, and is already creating jobs with more to come when construction is complete.”

Quote attributable to Member for Geelong, Christine Couzens

“The Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre will transform the CBD, driving jobs and economic activity while cementing Geelong as a premier destination for conferences, events, and tourism."

Quote attributable to Member for Lara Ella George

“This state-of-the-art facility will benefit the entire region, delivering new opportunities for businesses and creating flow-on benefits for Geelong’s suburbs and surrounding communities.”

Quote attributable to Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant

“Nyaal Banyul will be the perfect gateway to the Bellarine Peninsula, showcasing this stunning part of Victoria and attracting more visitors for major events and tourism.”

Quotes attributable to City of Greater Geelong Mayor, Cr Dr Stretch Kontelj OAM

“It has been exciting to witness the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre rising just down the road from our Wurriki Nyal Civic Precinct.

“This convention centre will be integral to Geelong’s future, serving as a powerful focal point for our events and hospitality industries.”

Quote attributable to Chief Investment Officer Plenary Group, Paul Crowe

“It’s heartening to see such strong progress being made on the hotel and surrounding retail precinct. In Crowne Plaza we have brought a world-renowned hotel brand to Geelong.

“This whole precinct is fast becoming the marquee development on the Geelong waterfront, and one that will help strengthen and grow the tourism and major events industry in the region.”