How Wyndham is changing: Developers splash cash on west

Developers are pouring cash into Wyndham and COVID-19 hasn’t slowed them down. Here’s the lowdown on what’s coming to your neighbourhood.

Wyndham approved a staggering $1.14 billion worth of development in 2020 despite the coronavirus bringing most of Melbourne to a standstill. Picture: iStock

Developers will pour more than $1 billion into projects in Wyndham after getting the tick of approval to start work.

Wyndham Council figures revealed exclusively to the Leader show 989 planning applications were approved in the year to December for work totalling an estimated $1.14 billion.

These included planning permits, amendments, secondary consents and time extensions.

Wyndham is one of the state’s fastest growing municipalities.

By the end of the year its population is forecast to surpass 300,000 according to demographic data.

Mayor Adele Hegedich said developer investment was vital to build a strong economy but local infrastructure had to support new builds.

“We will invest $106 million in capital works over 2020/21 to build the infrastructure needed by our growing community,” Cr Hegedich said.

This included millions of dollars earmarked for upgrading and building new roads, parks, leisure and community centres, bicycle tracks and footpaths, she said.

Century 21 Wyndham City senior property manager Claudia Simpson said growth in the area had been “massive” in recent years.

Schools, parks and shopping centres had sprung up to support the growing population, but she said more work was needed to get roads up to scratch and ease traffic congestion.

“The same thing happened with Point Cook. I’m being brutally honest here, they expect the area to be the next big thing and they built a lot of single lane roads … now they’re having to go back and increase those roads to three or four lanes,” Ms Simpson said.

An artist render of what the $13m Wyndham Park redevelopment looks like. Picture: Wyndham Council

But she said the municipality’s potential was undeniable and families in particular were attracted by its cheaper prices for homes that were still within easy reach of Melbourne’s CBD.

Wyndham Council completed a range of capital works projects last year despite coronavirus and lockdown disruptions.

These included the $2.5 million Tarneit Community Learning Centre redevelopment, the $13 million Wyndham Park development, the $6.4 million redevelopment of Mainview Boulevard Family Learning Centre, and the $11 million redevelopment of Mossfiel Reserve.

Major privately built developments included the completion of the $15 million Riverdale Village Estate Town Centre, which opened in March at the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Pelligra Group also finished a 12-storey tower including a hotel, offices, retail and hospitality outlets in Synnot St in Werribee’s town centre.

Property Council of Australia spokeswoman Danni Hunter said the pandemic showed why local infrastructure was important.

“The pandemic has highlighted the importance of vital community infrastructure as people gained a new appreciation for their local areas while in lockdown,” Ms Hunter said.

“The property and construction industries have also been identified as key job creators and a fundamental part of our economic recovery.”

The new Mainview Boulevard Family Learning Centre was jointly funded by the council and the State Government. Picture: Wyndham Council

Big upcoming projects given the green light by the council last year include:

■ A new $14.5m Bunnings Warehouse opposite Tarneit train station

■ 13 large warehouses across Truganina with a combined estimated building cost of $308 million

■ A $20m multistorey residential aged care centre at 74-76 Cottrell St, Werribee

■ Staged $130m works to build a hotel, medical centre, food, drink and function centre at 575 Derrimut Rd, Tarneit

■ Construction of 133 properties at 15 Paramount Blvd, Wyndham Vale, worth $14.5m

■ A $3m event centre with restaurant and function room at 1040 Duncan’s Rd, Werribee South

■ New $1.5m childcare centre at 55 Goodison Grove, Mt Cottrell

■ New $1.75m childcare centre at 10 McCormack Cres, Hoppers Crossing

The biggest project given approval — a $303 million staged mixed use development — will take over the former Masters site in Williams Landing at the corner of Old Geelong and Palmers roads.

The level of development in Wyndham eclipsed the value of approvals given by neighbouring Brimbank Council, home to Sunshine which is touted as Melbourne’s future capital in the west.

Brimbank town planners considered 1164 planning applications last year worth a total $888 million.

Nearby, Moonee Valley Council considered 935 planning applications worth about $984 million.