Bankstown Central Shopping Centre

Bankstown Central Shopping Centre is a shopping centre situated in Bankstown, Sydney, Australia. Opened as "Bankstown Square" on 21 September 1966, it was at the time Australia's largest and was one of Sydney's first major shopping centres. The development of the shopping centre was a moment of significance in the development of Bankstown as a satellite centre of south-western Sydney. A major centre of governmental and community service provision as well as retail commerce, the Centre remains an important part of the civic life of this region of Sydney.Today, the centre has over 240 specialty stores including a number of major retail stores. The shopping centre has undergone several refurbishments and additions. The most recent work in 2008 involved extension of the shopping complex to a block of land opposite Lady Cutler Avenue.HistoryThe shopping centre was developed as "Bankstown Square" by Lend Lease Corporation and opened in 1966. It was at the time Australia's largest shopping centre, and remained for many years the flagship property in Lend Lease's portfolio. It was also one of Sydney's first major shopping centres. The development of the shopping centre was a moment of significance in the development of Bankstown as a satellite centre of south-western Sydney. Not only did it bring major retailers such as David Jones Limited, the premium department store, to the area for the first time, it also became a centre of community and governmental service provision for south-western Sydney.