$80 million major hub bid

AN $80 million retail hub will kickstart a bid to establish Pakenham as a major shopping destination in Melbourne.
Pakenham’s shopping experience won’t be as big as Chadstone, but is expected to rival the best of the rest.
Retail giants Big W and Woolworths will be the main attractions at the hub, to be established at the current Pakenham Library site.
There are also plans for a food court and several specialty shops, not to mention an additional 869 car spaces. Unlike neighbouring shires, it will include underground parking.
Councillors voted unanimously at a special council meeting in April to notify the public of their intention to sell council land bounded by John Street, Henry Street, Cook Drive and Treloar Lane.
There have been a number of attempts to develop the site. Under a previous proposal, the council had hoped to extend the existing library, move Southern Health from its offices on the Princes Highway and move shire offices from Henty Way. Those plans fell through in July 2004.
The council suffered another setback in August when Consolidated Properties withdrew its plans for a $40 million retail hub at the site.
But councillors say the latest proposal is the best to date, and are particularly excited about the prospect of underground parking.
Cardinia Shire chief executive Garry McQuillan said the retail hub would help position Pakenham as a service centre for the Bass Coast and South Gippsland.
He said Pakenham now lacked big brands – but wouldn’t for much longer.
“One can only assume that this will certainly consolidate Pakenham as a central hub to come shop,” Mr McQuillan said.