A large-scale, innovative ‘outlet retail’ concept has been approved for Eastern Creek Quarter (ECQ), with Frasers Property Australia receiving masterplan consent for the third and final stage of its award-winning centre in Western Sydney.
A first for retail in New South Wales, 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.
Masterplan consent from the Department for ECQ Outlet paves the way for Frasers Property to complete ECQ. This ambitious project aims to deliver a high-quality amenity and vibrant civic destination for the local community.
ECQ Outlet is anticipated to feature around 100 brands in a highly connected location within a fast-growing catchment, representing a major new opportunity for retailers in an established retail destination.
Tim Moore, Retail Leasing Director, Frasers Property Australia, says ECQ Outlet is a major opportunity for retailers to access a growing catchment and become part of a loyal local community.
“There’s a distinct undersupply of outlet retail in New South Wales and Western Sydney in particular, which means the new precinct will serve an enlarged catchment of some 1.2 million people while still celebrating the deep local community connections which underpin ECQ’s success,” said Moore.
“For the community, through our consultation, we know there’s a strong appetite for outlet retail at ECQ to complement the broader range. 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.
“Our focus now turns to the finalisation of the detailed design and having conversations with leading brands interested in being part of a retail outlet offer not replicated anywhere else in the state,” he said.
ECQ Stage 3 formalises the definition of ‘outlet retail’
Strategically located at the intersection of the Great Western Highway and the M7 Motorway, and set against the stunning backdrop of Western Sydney Parklands, ECQ Shopping Centre features a full-line Woolworths supermarket, a mix of local concepts, quality brands and unique ECQ Social, with its covered and alfresco seating, outdoor deck, kids play area and large format outdoor digital screen.
ECQ XL, which launched in 2022, is the centre’s second stage and Western Sydney’s newest large-format retail and showroom precinct. It houses a diverse mix of brands including Anaconda, McDonalds, Officeworks, Carpet Call, 4WD Supa Centre, PETQuarters, Totally Workwear, Road Tech Marine, Weber, RSEA Safety, T-Spoon Café, Nutrition Warehouse, Neptune Swim School and KFC.
With a permitted use of approximately 29,000m2 in net lettable area, and designed by architects i2C and Hames Sharley, ECQ Outlet is planned to provide an additional circa 1,170 car spaces and additional family amenity, as well as complementary food and beverage offers and entertainment use. The food and beverage offer will be integrated with the ECQ Social precinct, extending the offer to cater to customers of all ages.
An interconnected outdoor entertainment precinct will become the social heart of Eastern Creek Quarter, with community spaces and amenities for customers of ECQ Shopping Centre, ECQ XL and ECQ Outlet.
ECQ is a place of vitality and vibrancy for the local community
In another boost to the local community, the centre will also deliver on customer expectations for EV super-charging facilities and a social sports and recreation-focused amphitheatre community space.
Joanna Russell, General Manager Retail Development, Frasers Property Australia says the ECQ mixed-use precinct has delivered substantial economic benefits to the local community – and there’s more to come.
“ECQ has become a popular destination for the local community and a drawcard for people from across the Western Sydney region. The high-quality sustainable design and diverse range of shops, entertainment and community uses makes it uniquely identifiable and something the local community has adopted as its own,” said Russell.
“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. ECQ will deliver even more jobs for locals and is a further boost to the local economy for many years to come,” she adds.
Approximately 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 is a world leader in sustainability, having 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 major 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. Incorporating energy and water efficiency measures, innovative waste management procedures, use of rooftop solar and more, it will be designed to achieve net zero carbon during operation.
