The regional shift has transported the property and development landscape Australia-wide, fuelling regional growth and accelerating demand for amenities that have previously typified by city hubs.
Warrnambool, the largest city in the South West Coast region 260km southwest of Melbourne, is projected to see an 0.8% population growth per annum from 2016 to 2036. A prime tourist destination along the Great Ocean Road, Warrnambool is the region’s main destination for retail, health and education services with a workforce of approximately 18,160 people.
Healthcare and Social Care are the primary industry sectors operating in Warrnambool, with Retail, Education and Training, Accommodation, Hospitality and Construction industries also seeing large representation.
With new residentially zoned greenfield areas in North Dennington, South Dennington, North of the Merri, North East and Hopkins, opportunities have arisen for residential growth over the next 25 years.
The eighth-largest economy outside metropolitan Melbourne, Warrnambool anticipates several major infrastructure projects offering increased employment opportunities, including Warrnambool Integrated Cancer Care Centre, Warrnambool Hospital Development and Lyndoch Living Waterfront Apartments. Meanwhile, the construction of $12M of new roads connecting residential and industrial growth areas of Warrnambool and the $5M Regional Aviation Park and runway upgrade of the Warrnambool Regional Airport delivers increased accessibly options. New cultural amenities also include a Warrnambool Art Gallery (WAG) building to drive tourism in the area.
Warrnambool will receive a portion of the $300M Connecting Victoria program to upgrade mobile phone stations from 4G to 5G between 2023 and 2026 as part of a partnership between the State Government and Optus.
With the region’s building approvals in 20/21 exceeding $200M, Ratio’s Transport and Waste Management teams were glad of their recent opportunity to consult on a mixed-use development on a central Fairy Street site, the largest development of its kind in Warrnambool and a standout for its impressive visual appeal.
Designed by Ammache Architects, the development has over 6,500 sqm of office space, 905 sqm of retail floor space, 56 residential apartments and 84 serviced apartments.
Our Transport team justified a reduction of 49 car parking spaces against the parking requirements for the Warrnambool Planning Scheme, working alongside the project team and Council to demonstrate the benefits of reduced car parking provision to promote active and sustainable transport. Additionally, our Waste Management team prepared a Waste Management Plan involving a separate waste storage facility for each of the four building cores.
We see enormous potential for Warrnambool and look forward to helping foster the next chapter of the region’s development. If you’re looking for a trusted partner for your regional development plans, contact us at mail@ratio.com.au.
