The Multiplex/Plenary Consortium has secured a
multimillion dollar tender to give Melbourne a new
convention centre adjoining the current exhibition
centre on South Bank.
"Multiplex Australia has a number of major projects
underway in Victoria and we have no concerns
that recent events in the UK will have any impact
on their capacity to deliver here," said Mr Harry.
The US$743 million proposal includes:
a 5,000 seat, six-starenergy-rated convention
centre
a five-star Hilton Hotel
an office and residential tower
a riverfront promenade of retails shops, including
cafes, bookstores and wine merchants
a premium-brand retail complex
an investment in public spaces including a partnership with the National Trust for a revitalised
Maritime Museum.
Harry said the major advance the centre would
give Melbourne would be the ability to multaneously
host meetings with delegate numbers of 1,000, 1,500 and 2,500.
"We're designing the centre in such a way that
we'd be able to run conferences of that size with
virtually no crossover between different events.
"We have a 10,000 sqm foyer and will be able to
segregate registration and catering areas with minimum disturbance."
Harry added: "We're looking at a superb piece
of urban renewal. I believe Melburnians and
overseas visitors will be delighted when it all
comes together."
No decision has been made with regard to the existing Melbourne Convention Centre, but
Harry ruled out it being a competitor venue to
the MECC.
The centre is planned to be operational by the
beginning of 2009.
Melbourne confident over new centre construction
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre managing director, Leigh Harry, has dismissed suggestions that the same company that is building the troubled Wembley Stadium in London poses a potential danger for Melbourne.
