Bridge over its troubled waters as centre complete

Westfield unveiled the final stage of its $200 million shopping centre redevelopment in central Geelong yesterday.
Shoppers rushed to the centre to inspect new tenants at Westfield Geelong and take their first walk over Yarra Street via the centre’s controversial flyover
The bridge structure attracted stiff community opposition during the planning process for its impact on bay views.
The launch introduced the region’s first Big W store along with a host of popular fashion labels previously unavailable in Geelong. Sixty new stores officially began trading at Westfield Geelong to mark the completion of the region’s biggest shopping centre redevelopment.
Centre manager Annette Cotter was thrilled with the result.
“We’re very proud of the new-look centre, which will deliver a new standard of retail to the people of Geelong,” she said.
Big W store manager Travis Jeffrey called the company’s arrival in Geelong “extremely exciting” after more than seven years planning.
“It’s great for the town and the customers are going to win because there will be more competition.”
The redevelopment added around 800 jobs and 500 parking spaces to the centre.
A City of Greater Geelong park-and-ride service will operate with the support of Westfield today and during the weekend to cope with an expected rush of shoppers. The service will run every seven minutes between the centre and Upper Hearne Parade at a return-trip fee of $2.