Closer to $80m

By Melissa Grant
AN $80 million shopping complex in Pakenham is a step closer to fruition, with civic leaders voting to proceed with the sale of land bordered by Henry and John streets.
The sale will pave the way for the construction of the retail hub to feature a Big W, Woolworths supermarket and underground car parking.
The council will net $8 million for the parcel of land plus $2.4 million for a car park licence.
Councillors unanimously voted for the sale to go ahead, despite one objection from a nearby landowner.
Peter Gribbins, who lives in Henry Street, was concerned about extra traffic being generated from the development, saying that the surrounding streets simply weren’t wide enough and the retail hub, to feature an extra 862 car spaces, wasn’t the solution to Pakenham’s parking woes.
Mr Gribbins also said all available plans of the development were unclear and inadequate.
Councillors noted Mr Gribbins’ concerns, saying they would be taken into account when the council considered the develop-ment plans lodged for the proposal.
Cardinia Shire mayor Bill Pearson said the development would meet the council’s parking requirements and there were also plans to extend Henry Street to Racecourse Road after the Pakenham Racecourse was sold.
Cr Graeme Legge said the hub would further establish Pakenham as a principal activity centre.
He said it would provide retail opportunities, more car parking, more than 600 jobs and allow for a bigger and better library to be built at PB Ronald Reserve.
Cardinia Shire chief executive Garry McQuillan said there would be about 1100 car park spaces on site, with just over 800 of those underground.
Cr Collin Ross said underground parking would ensure that Pakenham’s retail heartland was accessible in all weather.
“This is a very exciting project,” he said.