Werribee’s city centre is set for a massive facelift, with works due to start next year on a $250 million project.
The Burbank Group and Pelligra will spearhead the transformation of four council-owned sites, converting four ground- level carparks into residential apartment complexes with multi-level carparks, and office and retail premises.
Six-hundred ongoing jobs are expected to be created from the four developments, with the final plan including 1400 new parking spaces (private and public), 5000 square metres of office space, 300 new residential apartments, 100 serviced apartments for visitors, and 2500 square metres of retail and café space.
And as part of the changing face of Werribee the council has also secured $3.2 million state government funding for its Wyndham Park redevelopment.
Werribee MP Tim Pallas announced the funding yesterday for the council’s $11 million park plan which will include a river trail with walking and cycling paths, a lawn for staging events, river terraces with tables and seating, and drinking fountains.
The Burbank Group will develop the two Riverbend sites, on Comben Drive at the rear of Watton Street.
Burbank managing director Jarrod Sanfillipo said that while details were still scarce and subject to council permit approvals, the community could expect apartments fronting the Werribee River.
“We’re looking to create a better link between the CBD and the river frontage, taking maximum advantage of the views,” he said.
Mr Sanfillipo said the final product would include carparking for residents and shoppers as well as a community learning hub and retail opportunities.
He could not confirm the height of the buildings, but the Werribee city centre structure plan allows development at the two Riverbend sites up to 20 storeys high.
Meanwhile, commercial property developer Pelligra will develop the Cherry Street carpark and another at the corner of Synnot Street and Station Place, known as the Gateway site.
Pelligra chief executive Paul Pelligra said it was the growth potential and lack of carparking in Werribee that had attracted his company to the region.
“There’s a lot of long-term potential,” he said.
The Gateway site will have 400 additional carparks. The Cherry Street site will have 800 carparks and will include new office space.
“We’re already in preliminary discussions with potential tenants for the office space,” Mr Pelligra said. “We’re 110 per cent confident that we will fill these spaces.”
He said he expected a two-to-three-year turnaround on the developments, depending on permits.
The structure plan allows for the Cherry Street building to be up to seven storeys high and Synnot Street up to 10 storeys.
Wyndham mayor Henry Barlow said the two developers had a proven track record of working on successful major projects.
“This is an exciting step in a project that will completely reshape the heart of Wyndham.”
