Hundreds of construction and retail jobs will be created in Wyndham through a $370 million expansion of Werribee Plaza.
The redevelopment – announced last week by the centre’s owners, the Pacific Group of Companies – will take two years to complete and will add 35,000 square metres to the Derrimut Road shopping centre.
The expansion will include a two-storey Myer store, 120 new shops, a Target store, a new fresh food precinct including Woolworths and Aldi, two gold- class cinemas, outdoor eateries and 1500 additional parking spaces. A 10-bus interchange is expected to be completed in a few months.
The centre’s name will be changed to Pacific Werribee.
A Pacific Group spokeswoman said 300 to 500 jobs would be created during construction, with 1500 retail jobs to follow.
Werribee-based employment agency WISE Employment said the expansion would benefit the city’s long-term unemployed by offering entry-level jobs.
Westgate region disability services manager Peter Gallagher said construction, retail and hospitality were major sources of employment across the region.
“Generally, construction roles that come about as the result of such investments can give people who don’t have experience in the field the opportunity for entry-level labourer positions,’’ he said.
‘‘These opportunities can provide the necessary training and experience to lay the foundation for the possibility of ongoing employment.
“An investment of this level can give those currently employed in the retail sector additional experience and possible promotion to management.
‘‘Such promotion then opens the door for more entry-level positions.”
The centre’s owners originally announced a major expansion in 2009, but planning changes and an economic downturn delayed progress.
General manager Fiona Mackenzie said the new centre had been designed to meet the needs of the growing Wyndham community.
“This plan has been developed to meet our customers’ needs and create a first-choice destination when it comes to retail and lifestyle experiences in the west.”
