$80m plan green light

By Melissa Grant
The hub will boast a Woolworths supermarket, Big W department store, food court and underground parking.
It will also feature another national retailer and, according to plans, has room for about 26 speciality shops.
Councillors last week approved the development plan, paving the way for Woolworths to take possession of the 2.9-hectare parcel of land and begin the building process.
The plan was adopted with the conditions that the intersection of Cook Drive and Station Street be widened, that proposed alterations at the Cook Drive and Treloar Lane intersection be reviewed and further traffic management strategies developed.
Cr Collin Ross said the retail hub would provide 1150 car parks, including about 875 underground.
It will also provide employment for about 700 people, including 200 during construction.
Covered walkways will provide pedestrian access from existing arcades on Treloar Lane to the main entrance of the shopping centre.
A cafe/office area will be built at the rear of Woolworths, near John and Henry streets.
A waste collection area has been nominated for the rear of the site, with truck access from Henry Street.
The council resolved in June to sell the land to Fabcot Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Woolworths, to further consolidate Pakenham as a major retail centre.
The council netted $8 million from the sale of the land, plus $2.4 million for a car park licence.
Cr Ed Chatwin said the retail development would boost Pakenham’s economy.
“If you’re a store owner in Pakenham, in five years you’re going to be very happy,” he said.
Cardinia Shire mayor Bill Pearson said the council was confident the plans submitted for the development would deliver a high-quality outcome.
“Our aim is to ensure this proposal complements the town’s retail heart and enhances the existing central business district,” Cr Pearson said.