By Melissa Grant
PAKENHAM’S Main Street could soon be transformed into a shopping mall.
The Cardinia Shire Council will examine the future of the town’s retail heartland – including the possibility of closing off the main shopping strip to traffic.
Central Ward councillor George Blenkhorn said it had long been a dream of his to have a mall down Main Street.
“We don’t need cars going down one end of Main Street to the other,” he said. “I think its time that planning officers looked at the provision of a mall quite seriously.”
Pakenham’s parking woes and the provision of green space in the town’s centre will also be examined as part of the council review.
Pakenham Business Group (PGG) president Sue Day said closing off the Main Street to traffic was a great idea – provided there was an adequate provision of parking.
“Parking is number one but it (the mall) would be great move,” she said.
“It’s very exciting.”
Cardinia Ratepayers and Residents’ Association (CRRA) president Gloria O’Connor also backed the move to turn Main Street and parts of John Street into a mall.
“It will enhance Main Street for shoppers and businesses alike,” she said.
Councillors unanimously supported Cr Blenkhorn’s call for the review of Pakenham’s major retail area.
Central Ward councillor Brett Owen said Cr Blenkhorn’s request was timely.
“I’m happy for a review to take place, especially considering the possibility of the (Pakenham) racecourse moving,” he said.
Fellow Central Ward councillor Collin Ross said it was time Pakenham’s parking problems were sorted.
“I think it’s really important that we do this review to see what parking we’ve got,” he said.
The council has made a number of strategic land purchases near Pakenham’s Central Business District to improve car parking and has its sights on a number of other properties.
Council officers are in discussions with developers regarding the sale of council-owned land behind Treloar Lane.
The Cardinia Shire Council had sought expressions of interest after Consolidated Properties Group abandoned plans in August to develop a $40 million retail hub at the site.
That development was expected to solve Pakenham’s parking fiasco with plans for 799 car parks at the site.
The council’s review of Pakenham’s main retail hub will be presented to council before 1 April.
