This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
ONE hundred brands will offer 70% of stock for sale at a discount at a new centre in western Sydney, after Frasers Property Australia and the NSW government developed the definition of “outlet retail”.
Frasers Property Australia has received approval for the third and final stage of its Eastern Creek Quarter (ECQ), adjacent to Western Sydney Parklands and at the intersection of the Great Western Highway and the M7 Motorway. There, the ECQ Shopping Centre features a full-line Woolworths supermarket, a mix of local concepts and big brands, and food and beverage offering, while the large format retail second stage, ECQ XL, launched last year and includes Anaconda, McDonald’s, Officeworks, 4WD Supa Centre and others.
ECQ Outlet is anticipated to feature around 100 brands.
“A first for retail in NSW, Frasers Property has worked with the NSW Department of Planning and Environment to develop the definition of ‘outlet retail’ at ECQ Outlet. It will see brands offer a minimum of 70% of stock for sale discounted from its ordinary retail price or recommended retail price,” Frasers Property Australia said.
Designed by architects I2C and Hames Sharley ECQ Outlet will be about 29,000 sqm in net lettable area and provide an additional circa 1,170 car spaces and amenity, complementary food and beverage offers and entertainment uses.
There will also be an interconnected outdoor entertainment precinct with community spaces and amenities for customers of ECQ Shopping Centre, ECQ XL and ECQ Outlet.
The centre will also deliver on customer expectations for EV super-charging facilities and a social sports and recreation-focused amphitheatre community space.
Tim Moore, retail leasing director, Frasers Property Australia said there is a distinct undersupply of outlet retail in NSW “and western Sydney in particular, which means the new precinct will serve an enlarged catchment of some 1.2 million people”.
“For retailers, outlet retail is a proven counter to the growth of online shopping, providing progressive operators new opportunities to reach more customers and grow their brand.
“We’re grateful for the support of local stakeholders including Eastern Creek Public School, Blacktown City Council and Western Sydney Parklands Trust in developing the vision for the final stage of ECQ. The engagement we’ve had with the community to understand the type of offerings they’d like to see has shaped, and will continue to shape, our vision for this first-of-its-kind precinct.
Joanna Russell, general manager retail development, said the addition of ECQ Outlet represents an investment of approximately $150 million by Frasers Property in the community, including local infrastructure upgrades, to complete the mixed-use retail destination.
About 500 jobs will be created during the development phase of ECQ Outlet and an additional 500 long-term jobs are expected to be created once it opens in 2025.
ECQ Shopping Centre has achieved a certified 6 Star Green Star Design & As Built rating from the Green Building Council of Australia. A 5 Star Green Star Design & As Built rating is being targeted for ECQ XL, which includes a 400kW solar PV system to generate energy for use on-site.
Frasers Property will target a minimum 5 Star Green Star rating for ECQ Outlet.
