A PLANNED expansion of Werribee Plaza shopping centre to more than double its size is unlikely to be “substantially complete” until at least 2015, according to developers.
First announced as a $200 million development in 2009, it includes a new two-level Myer store, department store (possibly Target), three-level car park on Heaths Road, another supermarket, fresh food outlets and a double-storey mall with 100 shops and extra car spaces.
A revamped entertainment precinct, featuring cinemas, a relocated tavern, library and more restaurants would follow, with a new entrance from Derrimut Road and a bus interchange behind Super Cheap Auto.
Plans to move the library to Derrimut Road, near the Wyndham Leisure and Events Centre, have been shelved.
Speaking on behalf of centre owner Pacific Shopping Centres, Bernard McNamara from BDMA Development Advisory Group partly attributed the project’s delay to the global financial crisis.
Developers are requesting an amendment to the planning permit issued by Wyndham Council in July last year, but the redevelopment hasn’t been scaled back.
“Certainly the economic slowdown has made things difficult,” Mr McNamara said, “however we have also taken the opportunity to improve the retail plan.
“The main change has been the increased floor area at ground level and the reworking of car park levels.”
While some residents have voiced concerns about the impact of a potential new entrance on Barber Drive, Mr McNamara said he believed these had been addressed in the amended plans.
“We hope to have the project substantially complete by 2015.”
Wyndham Council chief executive Kerry Thompson said that as part of the amendment process it undertook “extensive public consultation”, which included a community information night in July.
“It is now proposed that access from Barber Drive will remain unchanged,” she said.
“The council may request additional changes to the plans to address other concerns that were raised.”
Ms Thompson said any planning permit issued for the redevelopment would expire if construction did not start within two years.
