Varsity Lakes future – 2010 and beyond

(By Alan White and Sarah Stanbury - Bond University Journalism Students)

As the two main Varsity Lakes development projects near completion, many local residents expressed concern about how the community will continue to grow.

During a recent Vox pop many residents said they hoped the area would attract more businesses.

Varsity Lakes resident Dale James said he wanted more retailers to move into the area.  “Businesses should be targeting the local residents more, providing them with what they need,” he said.  “Businesses seem to be catering more for the university students.”

Many local business owners said they wanted more retailers to increase business competition and hopefully attract residents to shop locally.

MBE Business Services owner Bill Campbell said more retailers meant more customers.  “There are a number of empty shops around and the sooner they fill them up, the better for all of us,” he said.

Delfin Lend Lease has been responsible for a majority of development within the Varsity Lakes precinct over the last ten years.

Marketing director Abbey Trueman said Delfin had reached their developmental goals over the past 12 months.  However, Miss Trueman said there was still room for future business growth within the region. 

“What we’ve set out to do, we’ve achieved in terms of commercial and residential sites,” she said.  “Varsity Central, our main business hub, is set to have 100 square meters of commercial space in the town centre.”

“There are ample business opportunities for smaller and bigger business.”
Delfin intend to implement strategies to maintain community sustainability so that the Varsity Lakes region would continue to grow long after Delfin have gone, Miss Trueman said.