Surf Coast Sports Hub

October 2020: World's elite targeted for training at Surf Coast hub

A $350M sports hub aimed at the world's biggest stars will be built in regional Victoria in a boost to the state economy.

More than 1000 jobs would be created by building a 220 hectare sport health and tourism precinct on the Surf Coast with world class training education sports science and medical facilities.

The state government is to announce on Thursday the approval of the Cape Otway Road Australia (CORA) development at Modewarre southwest of Geelong.

The first of its kind in the southern hemisphere the project includes elite training facilities for soccer basketball AFL cricket swimming tennis and rugby plus a wellness centre.

English Premier League NBA Olympic and international squads are to be targeted to train at the precinct with four and five-star lodges and a 128-room hotel.

A retail village restaurants childcare organic farm art gallery sculpture park farmer's market micro brewery and cellar door have also been approved for the site.

CORA co-founder Daryl Pelchen said the privately funded "game changer' ' would lure some of the best teams and athletes on the planet with 350000 visitors expected in its first year.

"It will help Victoria attract stronger major events more frequently for less money" he said.

The precinct will boast MCG and GMHBA Stadium size and standard ovals in and outdoor tennis courts turf cricket pitches an Olympic-sized pool and an eightlane running track.

It would also feature FIFA standard soccer pitches a gym hydrotherapy pool and a state-of-the-art virtual reality training studio.

Mr Pelchen said the facility would "play to Victoria's strengths" . "We're really good in that sport and major-event space we are really good in terms of medicine and education we're great in terms of agriculture and tourism and hospitality and innovation" he said. "We've simply joined the dots."

Planning Minister Richard Wynne said conditions had been included to strengthen protection of existing wetlands native vegetation and known habitat of the growling grass Frog.

"We've listened to the community during the assessment process to ensure the final development is one that sits well in the landscape and builds on what we all love about the Surf Coast" he said.

Global sporting giants such as the EPL NBA NFL Indian Premier League Real Madrid Manchester United and Arsenal were consulted during the planning stage. It will be open to the public when not being used by professionals . Construction is to start next year with the precinct to open in 2024.