MCEC expansion is underway

MELBOURNE, VICTORIA – Works are progressing on the expansion of the South Wharf precinct, with the steel structure for the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre expansion well underway.

The more than A$300 million project by the Victorian Government in partnership with Plenary Group and its private sector partners includes a 20,000-square-metre expansion of MCEC, a new 347-room, four-star quality Novotel Melbourne South Wharf and a new 1,150-space multi-level car park.

When complete by mid-2018 the project will add more than 900 new ongoing jobs across the precinct.

Luke Stambolis, Victorian Managing Director for contractor Probuild said the project was proving to be a boon for local suppliers.

"Up to 700 people are being employed during the 18-month construction period, including local contractors such as steel fabricator Stilcon, based in Sunshine in Melbourne's western suburbs," Mr Stambolis said.

Stilcon General Manager Laszlo Puzsar said Stilcon is proud to be working on a local project that benefits both Victoria's manufacturing industry and, eventually, its tourism industry.

"With nearly 3,000 tonnes of structural steel being used, this project has provided a boost to our company and Victorian supply chain more broadly," Mr Puzsar said.

Plenary Chief Operating Officer Glenn Hay said projects such as this are helping to create sustainable local industries, which bodes well for growing the capability of local suppliers.

"With a strong pipeline of infrastructure projects in Victoria, projects like this that engage with local suppliers help build capacity," Mr Hay said.

"It means our local industry will be more ready to work on the other major infrastructure projects that arise in Victoria and other states."

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