The proposed new Melbourne Convention Centre needs to be linked to ‘Jeff’s Shed’, the MEC, and contain an exhibition facility to increase Melbourne’s capability to host large exhibitions.

“We support the construction of the new Convention Centre on the site adjoining the MEC,” VACC Executive Director David Purchase said.

“However, the new facility should incorporate an exhibition space linked, via a roofed fly-over extension, to the concourse of the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.

“Victoria has the opportunity to position itself as the premier exhibition and conference centre for the Australasian region. In this, a new Convention Centre is vital. We are however, fast outgrowing the capacity of the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.

“The growing Melbourne International Motor Show is now very short of exhibition space. With each year, the challenges in fitting into the MEC and in fulfilling the expectations of vehicle manufacturers grow more and more problematic,” Mr Purchase said.

“There is a strong business case for an extension in premium exhibition space at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, not only to satisfy the needs of the Melbourne International Motor Show, but also if Melbourne is to grow in commercial importance in the Asian and Asia-Pacific region.

 “We recognise that there are difficulties in extending the existing MEC building due to the proximity of the freeway. However the new Convention Centre, if linked across Ferrars and Munro Streets under a roofed extension to the concourse, could provide the additional exhibition space for large exhibitions, and could also be used for smaller exhibitions in its own right.

“It makes sense to have these centres side-by-side, it makes even more sense to have them joined at the hip.

“VACC calls on the Victorian Government to allocate funds from the next budget to make this corner of the city a convention, exhibition and display complex. 
 
“Melbourne must strive to maintain its advantage as a commercial centre. We need a commitment from the Victorian Government to ensure that our world-class Exhibition Centre maintains its advantage over competing centres in competing cities, and continues to grow as Melbourne grows in population and in importance to the region,” VACC Executive Director David Purchase said.