Geelong today establishes itself as Victoria’s premier sailing destination and training ground for the next generation of sailors with the official opening of the Victorian Sailing Centre thanks to the Allan Labor Government.

This centerpiece of Geelong's revitalised waterfront will host local, national, and international regattas while serving as an unparalleled education facility for government secondary school students across Victoria. 

Member for Geelong Chris Couzens officially opened the final component of the $26 million first stage of the Geelong Waterfront Safe Harbor Project today alongside representatives of the Royal Geelong Yacht Club and the City of Greater Geelong who partnered to fund the project.  

“This is a wonderful part of the revitalised waterfront precinct that will not only help Geelong to host premier sailing events it will support first class education and training programs for Victorian students," Couzens said. 

The state-of-the-art new sailing hub features modern training rooms, upgraded changing facilities, multipurpose spaces, a classroom, communications facilities, offices, workrooms, short stay accommodation for up to 48, and a publicly accessible Changing Places facility - enabling people of all abilities to fully enjoy Geelong’s waterfront.

The Victorian Sailing School, operating as a second campus of Newcomb Secondary College, will make the centre available to government secondary students weekdays during 40 weeks of the school year.

The opening of the Victorian Sailing Centre marks the completion of the first stage of the Geelong Waterfront Safe Harbor Project. This includes the construction of the floating marina arm that provides additional berthing space, opened in 202, and Wangim Walk, one of Australia’s longest on-water walkways. 

The Labor Government is the majority funder of the Geelong Waterfront Safe Harbour Project, with additional contributions from the Royal Geelong Yacht Club, the City of Greater Geelong and the Australian Government as part of the Geelong City Deal.