armstrong creek urban growth plan volume 1 - City of Greater Geelong

4.6.5 MAJOR ACTIVITY CENTRE
The Major Activity Centre is conceptualised to provide:
the full range of convenience and comparison retail, anchored by
discount department stores, supermarkets, speciality stores and bulky
goods stores;
a wide range of community facilities and services, education services
and health services;
entertainment space, including a tavern and associated cinema;
employment opportunities, including commercial and government
offices.
This will create a vibrant, cultural heart active throughout the day and night.
The Major Activity Centre is designed to provide services for the Armstrong Creek
population and service parts of the Surf Coast Shire, particularly its existing escape
expenditure. However, the Centre will complement the Geelong CAA. The
Armstrong Creek Major Activity Centre will perform a similar role to Waurn Ponds
but have a largely distinct catchment, which is notionally defined by the rail line.
As a result, it is estimated that the Major Activity Centre will:
accommodate approximately 35,000 sqm of retail space;
target approximately 25,000 sqm of restricted retail space;
target approximately 7,000 sqm of entertainment space;
target approximately 35,000 sqm of office space; and
target approximately 35,000 sqm of community services space.
Other key elements include high-density housing, a town square, a possible future
public transport interchange on a proposed new high-quality public transport link
and a local transit route linking it with the whole growth area. Provision has also
been made for a private school immediately south of the centre.
It is planned that commercial activity will cluster in the centre proper but also line
Torquay Road as far north as the existing rail line, forming a node and strip of
supporting commercial activity but excluding bulky goods.
The Major Activity Centre will be located alongside Torquay Road. Key elements
of the rationale for its location are:
ARMSTRONG CREEK URBAN GROWTH PLAN / VOLUME 1 (ADOPTED 13 MAY 2008, AMENDED MAY 2010)
80