Opening of stage one of Lakeside Joondalup Shopping City

2/11/94

Premier Richard Court today opened the $80 million stage one of Lakeside Joondalup Shopping City, saying the exciting new development had created nearly 1,000 new jobs in the Wanneroo area.

Mr Court said the employment boost was just one indication of the benefits gained by a community with the opening of such a retail complex.

"In addition to 1,000 new jobs, it is estimated that 70,000 people will visit the centre each week.  This means spin-off benefits for existing business people in Wanneroo and businesses already established in the Joondalup CBD and business park," the Premier said.

"The centre will also provide a social heart for the community - a place where individuals can meet and local organisations can make the most of the state-of-the-art performance and exhibition facilities provided by Lakeside in its huge central promotions area."

Mr Court said the 26,500 sqm stage one of the 80,000 sqm centre, a joint venture by LandCorp and the Armstrong Jones Retail Fund, was further evidence of the strong investor confidence in the city of Joondalup - which had already attracted more than $1.2 billion in private sector investment.

"While the Government has the responsibility of developing Perth's second city, a project of this size cannot get off the ground without the commitment of private developers such as Armstrong Jones," he said.

"That commitment requires confidence in the future of the area and commercial success of the project."

The Premier praised the architectural design of the centre describing it as one of the most visually striking retail complexes in Australia.

Panels of Teflon-coated fibreglass stretched over prefabricated steel, rise to 9m over the centre's roof to create the illusion of huge sails blowing in the wind.

The roof itself is said to be the largest fabric structure in the southern hemisphere.

Mr Court said the 22.2 hectare site had presented the joint venturers with the opportunity to build a shopping centre capable of meeting the challenges of Australia's fastest-growing community through planned expansion and an integrated transport network at its door.

He said Lakeside would ultimately grow to 80,000 sqm - twice the size of major shopping centres at Karrinyup and Booragoon - and service an estimated population of 500,000.

Stage one includes two supermarkets - Coles and Advantage - a KMart discount store and 100 speciality shops.

Stage two, which will include another discount store and more speciality shops, is scheduled to open in 1997.

The third stage, incorporating a department store and high fashion boutiques, is expected to open by the year 2000.