Shop splash

By Lia Bichel
A MULTI-MILLION dollar redevelopment featuring a Myer department store and 122 new shops is underway at Westfield Fountain Gate.
The highly anticipated $320 million redevelopment will see the current shopping centre expand to include a full-line Myer department store which will anchor new parallel malls over two levels, a relocated new format Coles supermarket, an expanded Target store and about 122 new tenancies.
It will also include about 1200 more car parks.
Westfield Fountain Gate, which is jointly owned by Westfield Retail Trust and Westfield Group, currently includes Target, Big W, Kmart, Woolworths, Coles, Bi-Lo, Aldi, Village Cinemas, eight mini major tenancies and about 254 specialty retailers.
It is the highest grossing discount department store based shopping centre in the country, with annual retail sales over $700 million.
Westfield spokeswoman Jacqueline Scott said the redevelopment would create major benefits for local residents, including hundreds of new jobs during construction and after completion, which is expected to be in late 2012.
“The redevelopment will benefit the area as Westfield Fountain Gate will be a one stop shopping centre with all major supermarkets, many retail shops, and a lot of variety,” she said.
“There really will be no reason to travel outside the area to shop anywhere else.”
Managing Director of Westfield Retail Trust Domenic Panaccio agreed that the redevelopment would greatly benefit the City of Casey.
“Westfield Fountain Gate is an asset located in a high growth trade area and its performance has been strong over many years,” he said.
“The redevelopment will greatly enhance the current retail offer, further capitalising on the centre’s strength, and will deliver good investment returns in the years to come.”
The news was welcomed by many people on the Berwick Cranbourne-News Facebook site on Wednesday.
Kerry Barard also welcomed the news, but said the shopping centre in Dandenong would become “quieter” now.
Belinda Van Duin was also worried about surrounding businesses.
“It will be great to have Myer, but what happens to all the small businesses?” she asked.
Alysa McLean said she was excited about the new stores and said more shops meant more jobs. “It’s fantastic,” she said.
Joanne Arrowsmith agreed, “I think it’s great.”