Five-storey development for Werribee city centre

Wyndham Civic Centre. Photo by Damjan Janevski. 255196_01

A $22 million five-storey development proposed for Werribee’s city centre has been approved by Wyndham council, despite concerns about traffic congestion in the area.

The development, which was approved at a meeting on Tuesday, December 14, will be constructed 74-76 Cottrell Street and 108-112 Werribee Street North.

The plan includes 33 offices, six shops, two allied health tenancies and a childcare centre.

A total of 220 car parks, which will be accessible from Cottrell and Stawell Streets, and 57 bicycle spaces are also included in the proposal.

The council previously granted a permit for an eight-storey development at the site, but that has been replaced by the new plan.

Councillor Adele Hegedich said the development would provide parents with an opportunity to drop their young ones off at the childcare centre, before getting on the freeway to head to work in Melbourne.

“This is as example of the kind of infrastructure this city needs,” she said.

However, an objector who spoke at the council planning committee meeting said he was worried about the traffic which the childcare centre could generate.

The objector, a nearby resident, said the centre would exacerbate existing congestion in the area, including on Werribee Street North.

He said the council has already approved another childcare centre two blocks away from the five-storey site.

Cr Mia Shaw said she agreed with the objector, as the intersection of Cottrell Street and Werribee Street North is known for its traffic issues.