Work begins on Town Centre’s second stage

DAN Murphy’s, KFC and Hungry Jack’s will open to the growing population at Armstrong Creek in less than a year with the retailers taking prime position on the Surf Coast Highway.

Ground works of Stage Two at Armstrong Creek Town Centre began last week with Wel.Co managing director Andrew Welsh saying the epicentre was expanding with the region’s population.
Contractors are expected to complete the second stage in September 2021.

Mr Welsh said the centre, which opened in July during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, had an 80 per cent tenancy rate.
Businesses including Coles, Anytime Fitness, Liquorland and Bakers Delight already serve the community, with Sandpiper Bar and Cafe opening soon.
Federal Labor MP Libby Coker is petitioning on behalf of the community for a post office.

The development is a testament to former Essendon Football Club Vice Captain Mr Welsh’s continued investment into the Greater Geelong area, with stages one to three expected to create more than 1000 jobs, which contribute to Armstrong Creek’s projected 22,000 jobs.
Armstrong Creek Town Centre will be a civic, residential and commercial precinct once completed, with the City of Greater Geelong stating the urban growth area will include schools, government offices and provisions for a rail connection to Torquay. The centre will include a hotel, wetlands and specialty stores which Geelong mayor Stephanie Asher said would be “the social heart” of the urban development area.

Dan Murphy’s national renewals manager Tyson Holbery expected the new store to create about 25 jobs and provide a compelling customer experience which was locally relevant.

“When it comes to range, there will be more than 3,000 products to discover from, including premium and local wines, beer, cider and craft spirits,” he said.
“We’re looking forward and excited to become part of the community and offer locally relevant drinks experiences to the Armstrong Creek community.”
With a focus on sustainability, the pedestrianised and vibrant town centre will foster a sense of community, with more cafes and a cinema to open at a later date.
Owner and Developer of Armstrong Creek Town Centre, Mr Welsh, who is a Barwon Heads resident, said the region had experienced “brilliant” growth.
“We will continue to see huge price growth and high levels of demand in areas like Armstrong Creek, Ocean Grove and Drysdale due to an increase of people relocating from Melbourne,” he said.

Armstrong Creek Development Corporation director Mark Casey said Waralilly had been one of the most successful developments in Victoria, with the Armstrong Creek Town Centre meeting the needs of existing and future residents.

“This is essentially a brand-new town that is being built,” Mr Casey said of Armstrong Creek.
“Armstrong Creek has been one of the most successful developments in Victoria because of its location – it’s close to the coast, to the schools that Geelong offers, and world-class health services.
“All the things that make the region popular are on your doorstep.”

The Armstrong Creek growth corridor will accommodate the bulk of Geelong and the region’s residential development in the near future, with the Town Centre project providing much needed infrastructure and convenience for residents, as well as the high volume of seasonal visitors the region attracts each year, through shopping outlets, restaurants, services and abundant car park numbers.

The City of Greater Geelong states the urban growth area of Armstrong Creek will be developed into a sustainable community that sets new benchmarks in best practice urban development.
Natural and cultural features will be protected and enhanced to create a distinct urban character. Warralily has taken out national environmental awards and this month celebrated planting one million native plants as part of the developer’s regeneration project.
The Armstrong Creek growth area has the largest contiguous growth area in Geelong which will provide housing to 55,000 to 65,000 people, and approximately 22,000 residential dwellings. Armstrong Creek’s population has increased by 1,100.3 per cent in the past five years.