By Alesha Capone
A $130 million school expansion, a $39 million warehouse and a $27 million town centre are the most expensive developments approved by Wyndham council this year.
Wyndham’s acting director of city design and liveability, Aaron Chiles, said the council was aiming to build its future around the idea of “20-minute neighbourhoods”, where everything residents needed could be accessed within 20 minutes.
“Wyndham city is facing many challenges, much of it attributed to the extraordinary growth that has occurred over the last 10 years,” Mr Chiles said.
“Rather than allowing endless urban sprawl, we must play our part in building better cities – places where people can live, work and be entertained.”
Mr Chiles said that since January, the council has approved hundreds of planning permits.
“The largest was an amended permit issued for a 10-year master plan for the Heathdale Christian College at 175 Derrimut Road in Werribee, valued at $130 million,” Mr Chiles said.
“This level of investment is important to secure the education future of young Wyndham residents.”
The proposed works at the college include construction of new buildings, car parking, sports facilities and arts learning areas at the site, which is approximately 93,700 metres square in size.
The master plan aims to cater to a population of 2020 students and 218 staff members by 2030.
Mr Chiles said the council also issued a permit for a $39 million development of a freezing and cool storage warehouse at 442-540 Dohertys Road in Truganina.
The GPT Group is constructing the 29,800 square metre facility, which e-commerce retailer The Hut Group has signed up to lease.
Mr Chiles said the third most-expensive permit issued by the council was for a $27 million town centre, comprising three mixed use buildings, apartments, dwellings and associated open space, at 50 Mainview Boulevard in Truganina.
“The fourth-largest permit issued was for a seven-storey integrated entertainment and commercial venue and a serviced apartment hotel and residential building at 231 Leakes Road, Truganina, valued at $18 million,” he said.
The council has also approved an $18 million permit for the use and development of land for warehouses at 151 Leakes Road, Truganina.
