Community News

PROGRESS is on track at Mount Duneed Village, with the complex on the western side of Armstrong Creek expected to open from the middle of next year.

Empire Properties is constructing the $55 million project in the centre of Villawood Properties’ Armstrong Mount Duneed development.

The shopping centre component of the complex is almost entirely leased, and will be anchored by a Champions IGA with medical/dentist and Chemist Warehouse facilities.

It will also host a Saltwater Learn to Swim pool centre, Omega Daycare, hairdresser, cafe, and pizza and Indian restaurants.

The village will include 41 apartments and 52 townhouses, and is located across the street from the Bunjil’s Nest adventure playground, Club Armstrong cafe/gym/pool facility, the Poa Banyul Community Hub and Mirripoa Primary School.

Villawood executive director Rory Costelloe and Empire Properties managing director Tony Masa visisted the site last week.

Mr Costelloe said the new precinct was a pioneering project with new levels of amenity, service access and residential housing.

“It will provide residents more choice with close, ready access to services and facilities people need every day, including later in the day such as restaurants.

“These will be within easy walking distance, which is the modern way, and provide increased choice for Armstrong residents without having to cross the busy Surf Coast Highway.

“The centre is also pioneering medium density living in the greenfields, with the first four-level project in the Geelong growth corridor.

“This is a forerunner of what we will see in the new Batesford and Lovely Banks growth corridors, where some 18,000 blocks are planned for Geelong’s north and west in coming years as the region gears up to grow to a population of half a million.” Mr Masa said the neighbourhood activity centre, at the corner of Sovereign and Unity drives, would complement a thriving precinct.

“Things are moving well, we’re 90 per cent leased and we’re now building the shopping centre now.

“The townhouses are going well and we’re planning to hand over the apartment building around mid-year.

“The townhouses will start settling in the second half of 2024, similar to when the retail centre will open.” Mount Duneed Village will also host green and glass features and fixtures, attractive planters and pergolas.

Construction has provided sbout 60 construction jobs, and Mount Duneed Village will employ 80 people once it fully opens.

Originally published in the Armstrong Creek Times 01/09/2023