Developer reveals how Armstrong Creek town centre will be a one-stop shop
As Armstrong Creek’s population rockets up by 4,000 people annually and growth in the area is expected until 2050, it’s $1 billion town centre, promising to be a one-stop shop for work, rest and play, is taking shape. This is what’s in store.
Geelong
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A PUB, hotels, supermarkets, a co-working space, healthcare, major retail and apartment living are planed to be at the fingertips of those accessing the Armstrong Creek town centre when it’s complete.
But now, a decade in the making, among 2500ha of developable land at Armstrong Creek, shoots of Geelong’s urban expansion are visible.
Stage one of the town centre will serve 58,000 people, and 110,000 people are expected to call the Armstrong Creek growth area home by 2036.
To meet demand from the surging population, developer and former AFL footballer Andrew Welsh has a 12-year plan to turn a 40ha former sheep station, between Boundary Rd and Burvilles Road, into a one-stop civic, commercial and social heart of Armstrong Creek.
At the moment development of the 40ha site is just 10 per cent complete.
But by 2032, it’s planned the blank canvass will be transformed to house a 90-room hotel fronting the Surf Coast Highway, cinema, medical centre, town square, hundreds of apartments, a child care centre, post office, library, swim centre and man-made wetlands.
A Bakers Delight and a cafe are due to open in coming months.
Wel.Co managing director Andrew Welsh said the town centre would not be a shopping centre in the middle of a paddock.
“These types of centres are not ‘built it and they will come.’ We need to listen to the community around what they want and when they want it,” Mr Welsh said.
“We’re probably two years where we, led by our economic advisers, thought growth (at Armstrong Creek) was going to be at this point.”
Within a decade the precinct is due to grow to 800 townhouses and 300 apartments.
Stage 1 of the development, including Coles, Liquorland, Anytime Fitness gym, Terry White chemist and other small retailers opened in July.
Construction of 220 townhouses, that Mr Welsh said, will be within “two minutes” walk of Coles, is due to begin next year.
Competition for the centre will come from The Village at the Warralily estate, and the Waurn Ponds shopping centre.
But Mr Welsh said the Armstrong Creek town centre had many points of difference.
One is a 60-space 400 sqm co-working space, due to open before Christmas.
Demand for spaces within it means Mr Welsh and his team want to add more co-working space within the town centre.
The second stage of the town centre will focus on nine sites fronting the Surf Coast Highway with a Dan Murphy’s, KFC and Hungry Jacks in three spaces, and a petrol station, drive-through coffee shop and medical centre expected to be added by 2022.
A third stage, seeking to add a cinema, ten-pin bowling alley, restaurants, cafe and a childcare centre, is expected to require 420 jobs.
The State Government is also investigating options for a train station at the back of the town centre and space within it has been set aside for a bus interchange.
Geelong council also wants to establish a civic centre, sports facilities and library within the town centre.
About 200 residential lots are planned in a neighbouring 10ha, and another 16ha site adjacent to the town centre is owned by a major provider of aged care.
Earlier this month City of Greater Geelong chief executive Martin Cutter said Greater Geelong was the fastest-growing regional area in the country.
“At full completion Armstrong Creek will have approximately 22,000 homes, with around 3,500 of these in the town centre,” Mr Cutter said this week.
Mr Cutter said a library and learning centre at Armstrong Creek could open in 2024 after council was “vested” land for the facilities next year.
“This year’s council budget includes funding for the design of the new library and learning centre. This work will include finalisation of the cost, size of the buildings, and the mix of services to be included.”
Mr Welsh said Wel.Co had experience on large scale residential developments and was developing another town centre in a western Melbourne growth area in addition to Armstrong Creek.
“Everyone we are talking to (about Armstrong Creek) they are taking a longer form view of things here.”
ARMSTRONG CREEK TOWN CENTRE
Hospitality: 10,866m2
Small and large retail: 59,000m2
Office: 30,874m2
Residential: 43,741m2 (including 500 apartments)
Medical: 1200 m2
Hotel: 5,684m2
Swim school, child care: 949m2
Entertainment and cinema: 7000m2
Carparking: 136,000m2 of carparking
Originally published as Developer reveals how Armstrong Creek town centre will be a one-stop shop