Victorian Planning Minister Matthew Guy last week announced the approval of Amendment C267 to the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme to support the development of the Armstrong Creek town centre.
The town centre is expected to be the major activity area, servicing residents of the Armstrong Creek Growth Area, approximately 10 kilometres south of Geelong, as well as the suburbs of Grovedale and Marshall.
"The Greater Geelong region will be home to around 500,000 residents by 2050 and this extension is planned to ensure residents in the southern growth corridor have access to local jobs, retail, community and sporting facilities as well as public transport," Mr Guy told the Urban Analyst.
"This plan outlines all the facilities for a thriving community, including a library, an indoor sports stadium and aquatic centre, a Cultural and Arts Space, community meeting spaces, maternal and child health services as well as day care and kindergarten facilities."
Armstrong Creek town centre has also been earmarked to include an Emergency Services Precinct to accommodate the CFA, Ambulance Victoria and an Emergency Regional Coordination Centre.
Andrew Katos, Member for South Barwon
, said he was excited about the new town centre, adding that the plans for Armstrong Creek outline a vibrant, sustainable, pedestrian focused community that encourages people to work, shop and play locally.
"I'm particularly excited about the 5,000 jobs to be supported by this new town centre.
“This delivers sustainable employment options, not just in the initial phases of infrastructure and construction works, but ongoing jobs in the commercial and retail sectors, and long term jobs in the community services sector for the people of Greater Geelong," Mr Katos said.
The Armstrong Creek town centre will be the heart and soul of the southern suburbs of Geelong with jobs, recreational and sporting facilities, and transport links all in place to service the local community over the next twenty years.