Woolies approved to replace ex-reception centre
Woolworths’ development arm Fabcot has been permitted to replace a recently razed Melbourne function centre with a two storey mall it will anchor.
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal on Monday approved the replacement of 495-507 Barkly Street, West Footscray – the ex-501 Reception Centre.
A 7063 square metre shopping centre with a full-line supermarket, bottle shop and eight specialty retail tenancies is now planned for the block, at the Summerhill Rd T-intersection.
A childcare facility, medical centre, gym and offices also forms part of the design.
A two level basement will contain 278 car parks and 33 for motorcycles and bikes.
VCAT acknowledged the approval would oversupply retail in the pocket (presently serviced by a longstanding ex-Sims, trading as Schroeder’s IGA, next door at #509-511).
Fabcot applied to VCAT last year – 18 months after Maribyrnong City Council failed to decide on an application in March, 2023.
Council later said it would have rejected the application, then argued against it with the tribunal.
Barkly Village West Footscray
The Fabcot proposal – to be branded Barkly Village- replaces another for 42 townhouses – active when it made the surprise decision to buy the 6288 sqm site for $15 million in 2021.
In 2016, a former owner obtained a permit to replace the land with 198 apartments over five levels.
Coincidentally that plan was permitted by VCAT too.
The long-time operators of the centre, the Acquaro family, sold in 2014.
Footscray West is five kilometres west of the CBD. This site is across the road from the Footscray border.
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