Melbourne Convention Centre Development

Project name

Value

$367 million (total estimated investment 2004)

Status

Service delivery commenced

Department or agency

Major Projects Victoria and Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (DJPR)

Private sector partner

Multiplex/Plenary Consortium (MPC) includes:

Plenary Group - consortium lead, equity investor and project management
Deutsche Bank - financial underwriter
Colonial First State - commercial development partner
Multiplex Constructions - builder
Multiplex Facilities Management - service delivery over the 25 year concession period
Hilton International - hotel operator
NH Architecture / Woods Bagot / Larry Oltmanns - architecture and urban design.

Description

The Melbourne Convention Centre has been built on the banks of the Yarra River (Southbank), adjacent to and fully integrated with the existing Melbourne Exhibition Centre. It was opened in July 2009.

The new convention centre can accommodate 5 000 delegates within a flexible Plenary Hall. The centre has been awarded a 6 Star Green Star environmental design rating.

Project delivery was managed by Major Projects Victoria.

The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust operates the new convention centre and the existing exhibition centre.

The State contributed approximately $370 million toward construction of the centre. The remaining commercial development was financed privately. The City of Melbourne committed $43 million toward public realm works and a new bridge across the Yarra River (Seafarer's Bridge).

The contracted parties for the convention centre and commercial development are Plenary Conventions Pty Ltd and Plenary Group and South Wharf Retail Pty Ltd respectively.

The private sector:

designed, built, financed and maintains the new centre
maintains the existing exhibition centre
designed and built the Seafarer's Bridge
developed the surrounding commercial precinct.

The 2015-16 Victorian Budget provided $205 million for an expansion of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. The expansion added around 20,000 square meters of flexible, multi-purpose event space, including 9,000 square metres of new exhibition halls, and additional meeting and banquet rooms. The expansion has been completed and is fully connected and integrated with the existing Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.