By Alesha Capone
Wyndham council has approved a proposal to build an $18 million seven-storey integrated entertainment and commercial facility in Truganina.
The development at 231 Leakes Road also includes a serviced apartment hotel and residential building and licensed premises.
Both the council and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal last year rejected an plan for a seven-storey integrated entertainment and commercial venue at the same site, which would have included up to 80 electronic gaming machines.
The council’s director of city design and liveability, Ludo Campbell-Reid, said the new plan did not include gaming machines.
Mr Campbell-Reid said entertainment and commercial venues provided Wyndham residents with diversity, opportunity and a reason to shop, work and live locally.
“Rather than allowing endless urban sprawl, we must play our part in building better cities – places where people can live, work and be entertained,” he said.
“Planning a good city is not just about constructing homes, buildings and roads. It is about providing experiences and options for people.”
Mr Campbell-Reid said the pandemic has opened the council’s eyes to a new future, built around vibrant city centres, 20-minute neighbourhoods and liveable regions outside of Melbourne.
“Precinct planning is more important than ever before,” he said.
“We need to put an end to lifeless urban sprawl, and instead focus on building vibrant city centres – nodes filled with a richness and energy that promotes liveability and wellbeing for all our residents.”
