Hotel & HospitalityLindsay SaundersFri 22 May 26
Hotel Tops Scheme Put Forward for Wodonga’s Junction Place
A hotel development has been put forward for Wodonga’s growing Junction Place precinct.
Birchmore Group has filed plans for a mixed-use project it said would strengthen tourism, hospitality and public activation in the regional Victorian city.
The project, known as Station Square and formerly referred to as Site 1, would occupy a 6150sq m parcel at the corner of Elgin Boulevard and High Street.
Designed by DKO Architecture, the development will include a 160-key hotel alongside hospitality, wellness and retail offerings intended to activate the surrounding precinct.
Plans include a 24-hour hotel lobby and check-in experience, café and bar spaces, function and event facilities, health and wellness amenities, and two ground-floor commercial tenancies.
The proposal is part of the continuing transformation of Junction Place, a major urban renewal project delivered in partnership with Development Victoria and the Wodonga Council.
Junction Place, among Australia’s largest regional urban renewal projects, is rejuvenating the historic railway station and yards at central Wodonga, 322km from Melbourne.
Birchmore Group managing director Andrew Peters said the hotel would become a significant destination for the regional centre while helping drive activity across the precinct.
“The hotel will be a major drawcard for Wodonga, and will activate the ground floor, nearby green spaces and the existing retail, culminating in a highly engaged and active space that fosters growth, tourism and community engagement,” Peters said.
The developer said it had undertaken community engagement prior to filing the application, receiving feedback from a Community Reference Group, Development Victoria and council representatives.
Tourism and Hospitality Services Australia will now begin a request-for-proposal process with a shortlist of hotel operators.
Victorian Minister for Development Victoria and Precincts Jaclyn Symes said the next phase of Junction Place would build on the precinct’s existing momentum.
“Junction Place has already transformed this part of Wodonga, and this next stage will create more opportunities for local businesses, supporting tourism and delivering a vibrant destination for residents and visitors,” Symes said.
The Victorian Government said it had invested more than $50 billion into regional Victoria over the past 12 years, with projects such as Junction Place aimed at supporting economic development, housing and tourism growth across regional centres.
Also at Wodonga, First Nations construction company TVN On-Country won the nod to develop and build the final site at Junction Place in October.
The final site development will include TVN On-Country’s national headquarters, a cultural learning centre and gallery, a yarning circle and commercial office space.
