(main head) Avalon retail ’size of four Westfields’ (kicker) ’Stable income’ plan

AN AVALON airport master plan to be released in January will boast a retail precinct four times the size of Geelong’s Westfield shopping centre.
Avalon airport chief executive officer Justin Giddings said council had permitted the master-plan to include 22 hectares of retail space along the Princes Hwy.
A report to council earlier has stipulated that permitted businesses would be “restricted retail” that should “not compete with central Geelong”.
Airport management would aim to attract “destination” stores like Bunnings or Ikea, Mr Giddings said.
“We couldn’t have a supermarket there, for example, because we don’t have the population around.”
Mr Giddings said he initially hoped for 200 hectares but knew approval was unlikely.
“We’ve consulted with some major stakeholders including City of Greater Geelong and we ended up reaching an agreement.”
The new businesses would help retain a stable income for the airport, he said.
“It will give us the opportunity to diversify the business which we need to do. The problem with aviation is it’s a fickle business.”
Building retail outlets within the airport terminals “wouldn’t be a problem” if an international airline signed on to Avalon, Mr Giddings said.
“That would come as demand sees fit. If we pull an international airline there’ll probably be a small duty-free shop.
“We’ll have to build a whole new area for international but we’re not going to be a huge retail terminal.”
Mr Giddings said duty-free shopping was cheaper at overseas airports like Changi.
“At the start it’s not going to be as big as Tulla’ but I doubt that people are going to sacrifice the convenience of Avalon just so they can browse in a few extra shops.”