The newly elected Berwick Village Chamber of Commerce committee. From left standing: Kirstie Tostevin, Peter Liakopoulos, Lee Baker, Robin Imperatore, Neil Sutcliffe, and Russell Taylor. Seated Kay Drysdale, Michael Hall, Wilma Baron, and Anne Beauchamp. (Other committee members are Tim Moore, Bruce Shaw, and Caroline Marinucci).By Jim Mynard
BERWICK Village has been earmarked as a shopping precinct that will be as good as any in the world.
Berwick Village Chamber of Commerce president Michael Hall made the prediction during the chamber’s annual meeting and dinner at Clover Cottage on Monday.
Mr Hall said the streetscape development proposed for Berwick in conjunction with the City of Casey would absolutely change the face of the village.
“We will have a completely reshaped central area with 100 or more places for meeting and eating,” Mr Hall said.
“This will be done in the form of seating modes along the central median.
“Plans for the village have been developed in conjunction with council officers.”
Mr Hall said chamber vicepresident Anne Beauchamp had worked extensively with the council toward the achievement.
“We have all seen the beautiful shopping precincts overseas and Berwick Village will be as good as any we’ve seen,” he said.
Guests at the traditional annual dinner were buoyant after a great year for the chamber with excellent reports of the successful grand prix festival in the village, an 80 per cent membership increase and a $5000 donation to Casey Hospital.
The dinner was a gala event.
Mr Hall said the grand prix festival was a gamble for the chamber that worked because of the dedication and hard work of members.
“The chamber proved it could conduct a major function in Berwick Village,” he said.
“We had a beautiful array of machinery where people had a fantastic time.
“The street on grand prix night was packed with people and our restaurants had a wonderful night.”
Mr Hall said the grand prix festival would happen in Berwick again.
“We think it will be easier next time because we have done it all before.”
Mr Hall said one of the major issues the chamber faced was the Clyde RoadEnterprise Avenue traffic gridlock.
He said the situation was serious, but the chamber did not blame anyone.
“It is a fact of life and we have to talk with people about how we can fix it,” he said.
The chamber would not run away from the problem, he said.
“We won’t stop because we will fix these issues.”
Mr Hall said the ultimate solution was to get a grade separation, but in the interim there was a need to find some sort of solution at the intersection.
