WESTFIELD NORTH LAKES UNVEILS $220M REVIVAL

WESTFIELD North Lakes has unveiled the first stage of its $220 million overhaul, in a bid to cement its position as the shopping destination of choice in the region.

As part of the $80 million Stage 1 redevelopment, the centre opened fresh food precinct The Marketplace and alfresco dining area The Laneway.

The Marketplace features a mix of wholesome retailers, as well as one of the largest Coles in northern Brisbane and a relocated Aldi.

The Laneway has a wide range of restaurants with live entertainment during the night. The dining precinct will eventually link to the Event Cinemas, which is set to open in the mid-next year.

Stage 2 will see Westfield North Lakes transformed into a 113,000sqm shopping mecca, complete with 280 retailers and IKEA.

Queensland Treasurer Curtis Pitt says the redevelopment will deliver employment opportunities and economic growth to the area.

He says the local unemployment rate of 5.8 per cent is trending below the state average of 6.3 per cent.

"The Moreton Bay area is one of Queensland's fastest growing regions and Westfield North Lakes has been a big part of this very positive story," Pitt says.

"North Lakes Stage 2 will create approximately 3000 jobs through the construction phase and another 500 in ongoing retail positions as part of the centre's ongoing operations."

More than 4700 construction jobs will be created throughout the entire project, along with 900 retail positions.

Scentre Group and DEXUS Wholesale Property Fund have jointly invested in the redevelopment of the centre.

Westfield North Lakes centre manager Jodie Gaske says the team is looking forward to welcoming the community to the new and improved centre.

"This centre has grown in tandem with the local community and we're thrilled to offer them a destination that has everything they need from dining to entertainment, fashion, beauty and even kids play under one roof," Gaske says.

"This is one of the fastest-growing regions in south-east Queensland, linking the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

"This project, along with our Stage 2 redevelopment plans which include a 60-store mall connecting Westfield North Lakes to the new IKEA store, will meet the growing needs of our local community."

Westfield North Lakes first opened as a 'greenfield' shopping centre in 2003, with a redevelopment in early 2007 that doubled the amount of stores. The centre now serves a young trade area with a population close to 360,000 people.

Image: Jodie Gaske, Moreton Bay Mayor Allan Sutherland and DEXUS Wholesale Property Fund fund manager Penny Ransom.