What is the ACE?

Development Stages

A Staged Construction

The Kangan Institute Automotive Centre of Excellence is being constructed in four stages from 2005 to 2010. The ACE will consolidate all of Kangan Institute's automotive training on one site which, together with new state-of-the-art technology and equipment, will ensure it is a unique centre of automotive learning, research and development.

Photographs and drawings may be found in the Photo Gallery.

ACE Stage One

The first stage of the new multi-million dollar Automotive Centre of Excellence was opened by the Hon. Lynne Kosky, MP, Minister for Education and Training on September 13, 2006. (See News & Events).

Stage One houses the Automotive Body Trades training group - panel beating, vehicle body making, spray painting, automotive detailing, Certificate II pre-apprenticeship program and components of the automotive diploma program. It also contains staff and student amenities, a café, customer service centre and a separate workshop for the Fox Group.

The building has achieved a 5 star energy rating and includes major innovative sustainable and environmental design principles and components, including some elements which will be used for the first time in Australia. (See Our Community)

$18.6 million of funding was received from the Office of Training and Tertiary Education consisting of $13.7 million for the building, with the remainder spent on equipment, including state-of-the-art spray painting booths.

The first body trades training students commenced classes on 28 August 2006.

ACE Stage Two

Development of the ACE Stage Two is dependent on funding which is currently being sought.

Stage Two will involve the extension of Stage One to enable it to house the remainder of automotive trades training - motor mechanics, diesel mechanics and heavy vehicle mechanics. It will also house a library and bookstore, and may also accommodate some research & development facilities which would be shared with some universities and private companies, who will have their own offices and the use of the ACE workshops.

Kangan Institute hopes that Stage Two will go to planning and construction in the next few years.

ACE Stage Three

The ACE Stage Three involves the construction of the final major building on the south side of Collins Street. This Stage will contain conference facilities, an auditorium, commercial office space, a restaurant/café and a multi-deck car park. Uses suggested include public exhibition areas, an automotive industry showcase; an automotive management education centre; and an automotive design centre, or automotive industry centre, which would house key industry associations and host conferences and seminars.

Construction of Stage Three is planned within the next few years. Much of it may be privately funded, and some sections may be leased out by Kangan Institute. Expressions of interest will be sought from potential partners. (See Our Partners)

ACE Stage Four

ACE Stage Four involves development of the narrow wedge of land north of the extension of Collins Street and extending to Bourke Street.

In Stage Four, an agreement has been reached with VicUrban to develop the Community and Education Centre that will include conference facilities plus provision for some community and TAFE programs that reflect the business and residential activities of the Docklands precinct. Construction is planned for completion following completion of Stages Two and Three.