Shoppers’ paradise- Connor Wilkins with Kayden Wylie, Jamie Spiteri and Liam Eyles from the Narre Warren Junior Football Club got a special tour of the redevelopment on Wednesday. 72877 Picture: Kim C

By Lia Bichel
KEEN shoppers may be able to snaffle some goodies from new retailers at Westfield Fountain Gate a lot sooner than expected, with the redevelopment set to complete ahead of schedule.
The final stage of the redevelopment is expected to be launched next September, which was originally predicted to be the end of 2012.
Westfield Fountain Gate Centre manager Tim Broxham said this was subject to change with weather conditions being a critical factor.
Narre Warren Junior Football Club members sponsored by Westfield Fountain Gate got a sneak peak of the construction of the $320 redevelopment yesterday (Wednesday). The tour was led by Westfield Fountain Gate Risk Management co-ordinator Sarah Taylor. She showed the members the large amount of work which was being done, and once complete it is expected to be the second largest shopping centre in the country.
It will expand the centre by 43 per cent and create more than 1000 jobs.
Shoppers will be able to access new high-end fashion stores including a fully-lined Myer, 370 specialty stores, a children’s mall, a fresh food precinct and an expanded Target and Coles at Westfield Fountain Gate in Narre Warren.
Mr Broxham said the southern car park, known as the Coles car park, was close to completion, and the first set of customer amenities in the existing centre should reopen next week. Overflow areas plan to be opened during the Christmas period.
“Christmas is always a stretch for parking at any shopping centre. We have plans to have overflow areas around the site, temporary spaces will be available, and we will closely manage the traffic throughout the busy period,” Mr Broxham said. “We have increased our opening hours over Christmas to encourage the spread of shopping and this will be broadly advertised.” Mr Broxham said he appreciated how understanding customers have been during the redevelopment and looked forward to making further announcements with regards to retailers in the future.