A NEW shopping centre will open in Kennington on Wednesday, five years after initial plans were first lodged.
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Kennington Village Shopping Centre in Condon Street features a 3800 square-metre supermarket, about nine specialty stores and spaces for cafes and restaurants.
The centre has street level parking for more than 280 cars including disabled and parent parking.
It will create about 150 new jobs, with the construction project generating about 80 positions.
A future expansion area is also listed for the former Victory Christian College site, with the population of the area predicted to grow to 34,810 by 2026.
Centre manager Debra Thompson said the centre would officially open to the public on Wednesday.
"The centre will provide greater variety as a convenient shopping destination for the community and represents Woolworths commitment to investing in the area," she said.
Local artist Yvonne George has designed a sculpture as a gathering point for the centre.
Bendigo Business Council executive officer Patrick Falconer said in May 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.”
Opening celebrations will continue until the end of the week and will include children's entertainment, giveaways and shop specials.
A range of different plans had been lodged for the site.
The developer took the City of Greater Bendigo to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal over a planning dispute.
The council had wanted the centre to have better access to Strath Village and the matter was eventually resolved. The development will link to Strath Village.
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