Hundreds of new jobs and almost 100 new serviced apartments will be created as part of Pacific Epping’s shopping centre expansion.
A Costco retail store and a Quest apartment hotel will be added to the centre, along with a new restaurant precinct.
Pacific Centres, which manages the shopping centre, unveiled plans for its expansion last week, with managing director Graham Terry saying the new developments would bring new services to the booming outer north.
Mr Terry said the hotel, which will comprise 96 apartments, will be built adjacent to a precinct featuring 1300 square metres of new restaurants.
He said the Costco store will also include a service station, and will create more than 250 full-time and part-time jobs.
Construction of the Costco and the Quest hotel is expected to begin later this year and be completed by the middle of next year.
“We are extremely pleased to be welcoming reputable international services to Pacific Epping,” Mr Terry said.
“For us, this further reinforces the centre’s role in the regional hierarchy and level of service we provide.
“With Costco, we are proud to be able to offer an international retailer for the growing numbers in our trade area, and with Quest Apartment Hotels, the nearest hotels are Tullamarine, Preston and Bundoora, so the demand is evident.”
The surrounding road network is set to be improved as part of the plans, including an extension of Childs Road through Deveny Road to Edgars Road.
Whittlesea council planning and major projects director Steve O’Brien said the inclusion of a Costco store and new hotel would have a significant impact on Whittlesea.
“They’ll not only provide even more services in our local area, but both direct jobs in-store and other with local suppliers, too,” he said.
A Costco store at Epping has taken several years of planning, with the council approving plans for the store at 20 Jovic Road in late 2013.
The store will be Costco’s fourth in Victoria and only the second to feature a service station.
Costco Australian managing director Patrick Noone said the company was excited to be opening an Epping store.
“We feel it is the perfect location for us, offering convenience for our rapidly expanding membership in this area.
“We look forward to being an integral part of the growth in Melbourne’s north,” he said.
