CITY s ce n e
werribee city centre update
pedestrian bridge nears completion Construction of the Werribee City Centre’s new pedestrian bridge across the Werribee River is nearing completion.
vision on exhibition
The Vision for the Werribee City Centre is now on exhibition for public comment.
piazza open
The Werribee City Centre’s newest public space, the Wedge Street Piazza, has been officially opened.
quest werribee opening Quest Werribee are putting the final touches on their new four storey serviced apartment development in the Werribee City Centre.
edition one 2012
plus more inside
wyndham city projects The Vision for the Werribee City Centre is now on exhibition for public comment.
vision on exhibition The vision for the Werribee City Centre has been developed to respond to needs stemming from Wyndham’s rapid population growth. Wyndham currently has Melbourne’s largest and fastest population growth, and is forecast to grow from 172,000 people (Dec 2011) to the size of Canberra (400,000+) within 30-35 years. Wyndham and Melbourne’s outer west requires a regional capital as a focal point for jobs and activity. The Werribee City Centre, which is the principal activity centre of Wyndham, together with the Werribee Employment Precinct, is envisioned as the capital of Melbourne’s new West. The Vision is designed to attract commercial development, and transform the image of the Werribee City Centre. With a rejuvenated river and park at its heart, the Werribee City
Centre will become an increasingly desirable destination to work, live and play. Businesses, landowners and residents will benefit. Opportunities will be created for more people to live and work in the Werribee City Centre, which will provide more customers for shops, restaurants and businesses.
The Vision for the Werribee City Centre is on exhibition for public comment from 5 January 2012 to 29 February 2012. Submissions are welcomed. For further information on the vision and exhibition, visit the Wyndham City website at: www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/ werribeecitycentre, or contact Craig Toussaint, Place Manager at the Werribee City Centre on 8734 5459.
piazza open
The Werribee City Centre’s newest public space, the Wedge Street Piazza, was officially opened by Prime Minister Julia Gillard. The Piazza is the Werribee City Centre’s new gateway to the river and park precinct. It is located on Watton Street, overlooking the Werribee River and Wyndham Park. Whether you’re having an ice cream, catching up with friends or just looking for a place to relax and read a book - the Piazza is the place to go. It features seating areas, a raised deck that doubles as a performance stage, lush vegetation, and beautiful views of the river and park. The Piazza has already been a central focus for a number of community events, including the Weerama Festival, the Wyndham Sustainability Festival and the Werribee Chamber of Commerce’s Twilight Street Markets. The Piazza has also been used by local businesses to engage with the community, and by community groups including Werribee Celestial Tai Chi, which holds free monthly Tai Chi sessions overlooking the river. The Piazza is the first in a series of Wyndham City projects designed to enhance and embrace the Werribee River and Wyndham Park, as part of the vision for the Werribee City Centre. The soon to be completed Wedge Street Pedestrian Bridge will continue this initiative.
news bite
pedestrian bridge nears completion The striking new bridge is a cutting-edge modern design.
Construction of the Werribee City Centre’s new pedestrian bridge across the Werribee River is nearing completion. The Wedge Street Pedestrian Bridge will extend from the end of the Piazza into Wyndham Park. It will provide an important new pedestrian and bicycle link across the Werribee River into Wyndham Park. Cyclists and walkers will have a scenic new route into the Werribee City Centre. Shoppers and workers will be able to take time-out from their activities and walk across the river to relax in the park. The sinuous form of the bridge winds through the tree tops and across the water providing users with a unique and memorable experience. The pedestrian bridge is scheduled to open for use in March-April 2012. Visit the Werribee City Centre to see the vision unfolding.
A Piazza Café is planned to be constructed in the Piazza as Stage 2 of the project. The Café will add another dimension to the Piazza, and contribute to the vibrancy of the space. Wyndham City is close to selecting a preferred operator for what will be a unique café in the Piazza.
developer projects
quest werribee opening
Quest Werribee are putting the final touches on their new four storey serviced apartment development in the Werribee City Centre. This major new development is prominently located on the corner of Synnot Street and Wedge Street. Quest Werribee will provide another much needed accommodation option in Melbourne’s west. The apartments are ideally located in the restaurant and café precinct of the Werribee City Centre, and close to Avalon Airport and the Werribee Park Tourism Precinct.
Quest Werribee will be a 4.5 star development featuring studio, one, two and three bedroom fully serviced apartments, a conference room, gymnasium and undercover secure car parking. It is scheduled to open on 6 February 2012. An IGA Supermarket also features in new the development.
For further information contact questwerribee@questapartments.com.au or 1800 334 033
other developments 116 watton street
Additional apartments at the ONESIXTEEN WATTON development are now selling. Retail premises are now leasing. After experiencing quick sales off the plan, the developers of ONESIXTEEN WATTON have added a fourth storey to the design of the building. Plans have now been approved for what will be the first medium density residential /retail development overlooking the Werribee River in the Werribee City Centre. For more information visit: www.onesixteen.com.au
49 synnot street
A new two storey retail and office development is currently under construction on the corner of Synnot Street and Bridge Street in the Werribee City Centre. Premises are now leasing. For more information contact Peter Nation at Westwood First National on 0411 088 775 or commercial@westwoodfn.com.au
wyndham city’s growth
Wyndham City is experiencing extraordinary population growth. Wyndham’s population is growing by around 12,000 people each year, equivalent to the entire population of Echuca. 10 households are moving into Wyndham every day, while 60 babies are born in Wyndham every week. The most recent Australian Bureau of Statistics data measured Wyndham’s population growth at an unprecedented 8.8%, 12,600 people (2009-2010). This confirms Wyndham City as the fastest growing municipality in Australia in percentage terms and third fastest in absolute numbers. Wyndham and Melton combined is the fastest and largest growing region in Australia. This extraordinary population growth is forecast to continue. Wyndham is set to grow from its current size of 172,000 people (Dec 2011) to over 400,000 people within the next 30-35 years. By 2040, Wyndham will be the size of current-day Canberra. (Sources: Forecast id and Wyndham City) This population growth presents unique challenges, but it also presents unique opportunities. The opportunity for business growth and new business development is significant. The unprecedented population growth equates to a rapidly growing customer base and local workforce.
1-13 watton street
A new two storey retail and office development is currently under construction at No.1 Watton Street in the Werribee City Centre. Premises are now leasing with Watton Street frontage and views of Kelly Park. For more information contact Peter Nation at Westwood First National on 0411 088 775 or commercial@ westwoodfn.com.au.
bridge hotel site An exciting redevelopment of the Bridge Hotel site is being pursued by the landowner in conjunction with a major Melbourne developer. The redevelopment of this very large 6,000 square metre site has the potential to be a huge positive for the Werribee City Centre. While in the very early stages of gestation, designs are being refined and leasing enquiries are now being taken. For any leasing and pre sale enquires please contact Peter Cox at Stralliance on 0400 305 509
More information on these exciting new Werribee City Centre developments will be provided in future editions of City Scene.
The opportunity for ‘high end’ business is supported by the fact that the percentage of Wyndham residents with university qualifications and high household incomes is increasing. To provide more opportunities for new business and commercial development, Wyndham City has drafted a planning framework designed to facilitate development in the Werribee City Centre and streamline the development process. Wyndham City also has a Place Management Unit dedicated to growing the Werribee City Centre, and a specialist Economic Development Unit dedicated to facilitating economic development within Wyndham.
wyndham’s growth amongst australia’s fastest
If you would like further information on growth in Wyndham, or are interested in Werribee/Wyndham as a future location for your business or development, feel free to contact Craig Toussaint, Place Manager on 8734 5459 or Daryl Wilson, Manager Economic Development, on 9742 0916.
nathan cooper
RACV Shop Werribee 171a Watton Street Q. How long have you been in the Werribee City Centre?
A. Our business relocated on October 10, 2011 to Watton Street after 5 years at the Werribee Plaza.
Q. What drew you to the Werribee City Centre? A. We have many members in the municipality and it was important to have a long term “home” for the RACV Shop. The City Centre has so much potential - we want to be part of the transformation. It was a good opportunity to get in now and secure a site as I believe with the Council’s plan taking shape, the City Centre will be a major hub in the years to come.
Q. Are you glad you moved? A. It’s early days but the signs are promising. Our members and customers are still learning of the move so we are trying to inform them of the change of premises as quickly as possible. Watton Street traders have welcomed us warmly and we are building some good relationships here...I am confident it will be a successful move.
Q. What does your business offer? A. Everything RACV and more!... Vehicle & Home Insurance, Emergency Roadside Assistance packages, Travel Insurance, Business Insurance the list goes on! We offer car hire through Thrifty at fantastic rates, maps and atlases for
anywhere you want to go. There is an ever changing merchandise range in store and we have Wyndham’s largest range of travel accessories available. We also offer discounted Health Insurance through Latrobe Health Insurance and we are soon to launch a Budgeting Business from the Watton Street premises as well in January 2012.
Q. What sets your business apart from your competition?
A. Firstly we are Melbourne’s only independently owned RACV Agency. Therefore we are dedicated to our customers and their needs. We offer the full range of RACV Services but take the time to ensure that our members interests are put first. We have a direct phone number where you will talk to a trained consultant every time - no call centres or machines. They can set up new products, take credit card payments for renewals or new business or advise on how RACV can help you - All members from anywhere in Victoria can call toll free on 1300 697 728 and speak to us here in Werribee. To keep up to date with business news, opportunities and support in Wyndham, subscribe to the monthly e-business alert ‘Business Matters in Wyndham’ by emailing: business@wyndham.vic.gov.au
what’s on
werribee city centre Twilight Street Market
(also on Feb 17 and Mar 16), 3pm to Twilight The Piazza, Werribee City Centre For more information visit: http://twilightstreetmarket.wordpress.com/
february 17 Looking Through A Glass Onion John Lennon in Words and Music
Gift Givers Gallery is located next to the Westpac Bank at 54 Watton Street, Werribee. Open hours are: Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm and Saturday 9am to 3pm.
5 minutes with
what’s on in the
january 20
John Waters with Stewart D’Arrietta Wyndham Cultural Centre, Werribee City Centre For tickets visit: http://www.wyncc.com.au/
march 3/4 Weerama Festival
Werribee City Centre For information visit: http://weerama.org.au/
For a full list of Whats On In Wyndham, visit: http://www.experiencewyndham.com.au/whatson city scenes
gift givers gallery
Are you looking for the perfect gift, or a gift for someone difficult to buy for? Gift Givers Gallery is “a store where everyone can buy a gift for anyone”. Jan Grapsas and her team at Gift Givers Gallery have unique gifts and offer friendly personal service. Gift Givers Gallery support the local art community by taking artists works on consignment, and so they have pieces you won’t find anywhere else. Also on display is a comprehensive range of handbags, scarves, toys, decorator items, novelty, umbrellas, jewellery and books, all beautifully presented. Gift vouchers, free gift wrapping and layby are also available.
Gift Givers Gallery and the RACV Shop promote themselves on the Wyndham Online Business Directory. To promote your Wyndham business for free, register at www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/business/business_directory
spotlight on
the dance of the platypus These dancing platypuses are well known Werribee City Centre characters. Located on the corner of Watton Street and Duncans Road, they are part of a series of art works which celebrate the life of the Werribee City Centre. Artist Anne Ross, speaking of her work at the time (2000), said: “My vision for the commission was to create a series of works that relate strongly to each other and their environment, and reference the past, present and the future of Werribee”. The platypuses, found locally in the Werribee River, represent the present. They celebrate the river upon which the Werribee City Centre is located, the vibrancy of the City Centre, the growth of the region, and its youthful energy.
For more information on public art in Wyndham visit: http://www.wyndham. vic.gov.au/experience/artsculture/ artscommunity/publicartguide
contact
For more information on the Werribee City Centre contact Craig Toussaint, Place Manager of the Werribee City Centre
8734 5459 craig.toussaint@wyndham.vic.gov.au www.wyndham.vic.gov.au