The 6497-square-metre building is located in the suburb’s town centre on Dyson Drive.

It will include a full-line Woolworths supermarket and speciality stores, including a mix of retail, fresh food, fast food and service based stores.

Leasing of the speciality stores is currently being undertaken by Colliers International.

The project is being undertaken by George Rydell Constructions and is due for completion later this year.

Integra land development manager Nick Grylewicz said investment in retail property development was vital to getting a new suburb off the ground and providing all the services a new community needs.

“This development will fill a void in the Alfredton area; over 5000 current Alfredton residents as well as surrounding suburbs will have new facilities and improved access to the new retail facility,” Mr Grylewicz said.

“Not only will this benefit the community access to fresh foods but will have an economic benefit to the Ballarat community by creating new jobs in the new stores.”

Ballarat City councillor Vicki Coltman said it was exciting to see the Lucas town centre become the first neighbourhood activity centre in the Ballarat West Growth Zone.

“It will provide long-awaited services to the residents of Ballarat West,” Cr Coltman said.

“Lucas is a fantastic initiative.

“When we need more housing, it will all be done and ready to go.

“It will be a fully integrated suburb (and) a strategically planned suburb.”

fiona.henderson@fairfaxmedia.com.au