Frasers Property Australia has announced that the planned opening of Easter Creek Quarter (ECQ), a brand new 10,000m2 (GLA) retail centre in Western Sydney, will not proceed as planned, while Woolworths Eastern Creek will be temporarily converted into an online store. The centre was due to open today, Thursday 19 March at 9am.
Eastern Creek Quarter will be anchored by a 3,800m2 Woolworths supermarket, plus 43 additional retail stores and feature an Australian-first ‘revolving retail’ concept, part of a new dining and entertainment precinct called ECQ Social.
Eastern Creek Quarter set to delight locals
Woolworths advised Frasers Property that, given an extraordinary level of demand for groceries across the country in recent weeks, they will temporarily convert Woolworths Eastern Creek into an online store and will not be open to the public – continuing to operate, but only to service online deliveries. This decision will allow Woolworths to help more people get access to the products they need, and by prioritising online orders Woolworths will be responding to the most vulnerable in the community first.
Because of this, Frasers Property has made the decision not to open Eastern Creek Quarter at this time.
“To open a neighbourhood shopping centre without the anchor tenant creates an unsustainable trading environment for the other retailers, even in usual circumstances. In these extraordinary circumstances, to open would not be in anyone’s best interests”, said Peri Macdonald, Executive General Manager Retail, for Frasers Property Australia.
“Eastern Creek Quarter was completed, stocked and staffed with enthusiastic retailers and ready to provide the goods and services this community needs, so this decision has not been taken lightly.
“However, we recognise that these are extraordinary times and we acknowledge Woolworths’ unique responsibility to the Australian community at large, and the difficult decisions that may arise from that responsibility,” says Macdonald.
“We look forward to opening the centre in partnership with Woolworths and our magnificent community of ECQ retailers at a more appropriate time.
The Eastern Creek development has sustainability at its core
ECQ will feature a BWS, Bonds Outlet, Goodfellas Barber Shop, Hair & Co, Little Prince Flower Shop, Planet Mobile, Fonesolution, CTC Newsagent and Red Dollar, and a car wash.
There will be a comprehensive health, wellbeing and beauty offer, with Choice Pharmacy, Live Well Health Clubs gym, Neo Body Laser Clinic, Lee’s Massage & Acupuncture, Blush Nails & Beauty, Smile Dental Co and Max Care medical centre to serve the growing Eastern Creek community.
“Obviously the COVID-19 pandemic is a highly fluid event affecting retailers and communities across Australia. We will continue to monitor the local situation, remaining ready, willing and able to open this valuable community asset as soon as possible,” added Macdonald.
Reflecting its high-profile Western Sydney Parklands location, ECQ is a global leader in environmental sustainability. Stage 1 has been awarded a 6 Star Green Star Design rating by the Green Building Council of Australia, representing world leadership. The centre features 1 MW of solar panels, a 200 kL onsite rainwater tank, water management features to capture and re-use water for irrigation and amenities purposes, extensive landscaping and trees in the external carpark area, bicycle parking facilities, internal landscaping and greenery and more.
