The Woolworths Kennington Village development in Condon Street will feature a 3800 square-metre supermarket, about nine speciality stores and spaces for cafes and restaurants. 

Woolworths recently posted advertisements seeking tenants for the new complex, which will be located on the former Victory Christian College site next to Strath Village.

The supermarket chain expects the centre will be running by 2014, with construction to start mid-year. 

Bendigo Business Council executive officer Patrick Falconer said the centre would be positive for the area. 

“It’s going to be great,” he said. “Having a Woolworths there will bring more people to the area.

“There’s a desperate need for another supermarket. I think it will be great for that area.” 

A range of different plans had been lodged for the site, and the developer took the City of Greater Bendigo to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal over a planning dispute. 

Plans were approved, then changes made, and the plans refused by councillors. 

An advertisement says the developer wants a “vibrant retail mix” including fresh food, fast food and services. 

The site will include a 280-space car park, with figures showing about 34,000 people will live in the area by 2026. 

A Woolworths spokeswoman said 100 construction jobs would be created by the project, followed by 120 jobs once complete. 

“We’re very much looking forward to being part of the local community, and being able to offer customers convenience, value and a great range of products and services,” she said. 

The spokeswoman said a builder was being finalised through a tender process. 

City of Greater Bendigo director planning and development Prue Mansfield said the council was happy with the plans. 

“We actually think that what they’re proposing is close enough to what the city’s original position was.”

The development will link to Strath Village.??