Sekisui House CEO Toru Abe and Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale turn the sod on Stage 1 of Ecco Ripley’s Ripley Town Centre. Photo: David Nielsen / The Queensland TimesWORK has started on the $1.5 billion Ripley Town Centre at Ecco Ripley with anchor tenant Coles and developers Sekisui House turning the first sod on stage one today.
With a project value of $40 million, stage one of the project is expected to deliver more than 100 jobs during
construction and ongoing employment opportunities to more than 100 locals.
The 3800sqm first stage is scheduled to open in December 2017 and will deliver a full line Coles supermarket, 20 specialty shops and a medical centre.
Sekisui House Australia CEO Toru Abe said Ripley Town Centre would be the primary town centre for the Ripley Valley, and Stage 1 would deliver a number of key services.
On completion Ripley Town Centre will service 120,000 people and offer 257,000sqm gross floor area – approximately 40 football fields – providing retail, commercial and community space,” Mr Abe said.
“As the primary town centre for the Ripley Valley region, Ripley Town Centre will deliver a major regional shopping
centre, a transit centre, health and education facilities, cafes, restaurants, parks and community facilities to cater to the region’s projected population of 120,000 people over the next 20 years.
As part of Sekisui House’s commitment to upfront investment, more than $10 million is being invested in associated infrastructure which will include an upgrade to Ripley Road to improve links to the Cunningham and Centenary Highways.
“Ripley Town Centre will be the heart of our residential community Ecco Ripley, providing residents and the wider Ripley Valley region with key retail and community services.
Coles Regional Manager Tanya Travis said the Ripley project followed $25 million investment in five years in the region with developments at Redbank, Ipswich and Springfield Orion.
“It is huge investment. It’s definitely a community that is moving forward in the future and we want to be part of that vibrant community,” Ms Travis said.
Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale said the turning of Ripley Town Centre’s first sod was a huge milestone for the Ripley Valley region.
“Ripley Valley is going from strength-to-strength and its sustainable development will be a major contributor to population growth. By 2031 an estimated 442,000 residents will call Ipswich home,” Cr Pisasale said.
“Located in the western growth corridor, Ripley Valley is expected to accommodate 25% of south-east Queensland’s population increase over the next 20 years and Ripley Town Centre will provide key services to the region.”
