What attracts shoppers in WA’s second biggest city?
Vicinity Centres and ISPT have unveiled the first major retail stage of Mandurah Forum’s $3 million transformation in Western Australia’s growing Peel region.
The 2016 census revealed the Peel region as one of the nation’s fastest growing. Steady population growth in Mandurah has added 13,442 people, a growth rate of 16.1 per cent, over the last five years.
Angus McNaughton, chief executive officer and managing director of Vicinity Centres, says the expansion has been designed to provide the “best everyday shopping experience for the Peel region which is now WA’s second biggest city”.
Vicinity Centres currently has a $3.1 billion national development pipeline underway.
Under construction for just over a year, the redevelopment has opened on budget, on schedule and is fully leased.
The redevelopment includes a new Target store, the latest format Kmart, a new-look market style Coles, a Big W and Woolworths all under one roof.
A fresh food market hall and more than 60 specialty stores is complemented with 1,600 car spaces and park assist technology, as well as new family friendly facilities and free WiFi.
The project has created an estimated 1,000 jobs throughout construction period, with more than 700 ongoing retail, hospitality and service jobs expected once the centre is complete.
ISPT’s general manager of retail services, Sam Curry, says the project will “capitalise on the growing Peel community” which is forecast to grow by 28 per cent each year between now and 2030. The shopping centre will also cater to the “millions of visitors and day trippers who travel to this popular tourist region each year,” Curry says.
When complete in 2018, Mandurah Forum will have almost doubled the size of its retail floor space to 71,000 sqm and include an extra two department stores – including David Jones – and around 1 new specialty stores. A new fashion mall, casual dining precinct designed around a water oasis and a contemporary food court with an indoor-outdoor play area are also on the cards.
Mandurah Forum is located 65 kilometres south of the Perth CBD.
The Property Council’s executive director in WA, Lino Iacomella, says the retail sector, together with the retirement living sector, has posted the highest growth expectations in the latest ANZ/Property Council Survey.
The 2016 census figures reinforce the “importance of population growth for the property industry in WA over the last five years,” Iacomella says, adding that the Property Council has developed a five-point plan to foster growth and build business confidence.