Gazette

Back to the mall

By Melissa Grant

24th June 2009 02:00:36 AM

CLOSING off Pakenham’s Main Street to traffic is still on the cards, with Cardinia Shire’s councillor George Blenkhorn preparing to travel to Bendigo to check out its mall.

Cr Blenkhorn said he was keen to see a mall in action and to seek advice on problems associated with them, particularly anti-social behaviour outside trading hours.

The plans come as councillors await a review of Pakenham’s retail hub. The review was to be presented to council before 1 April, but was put on hold after Woolworths committed to an $80 million retail complex in the town’s heartland.

“It’s really to some degree been put on hold with (the) Woolworths development,” Cr Blenkhorn said.

“Part of the problem is until the Woolworths’ (complex) traffic and parking problems are sorted out you can’t risk losing any parking.”

The Woolworths’ complex is seen as a solution to Pakenham’s parking woes with 869 extra car spaces planned, including underground parking.

In April, Cardinia Shire mayor Bill Pearson said it was doubtful the council would close off the main shopping strip to traffic in light of the Woolworths announcement.

“All the advice we have is that there won’t be a mall,” Cr Pearson said.

However, Cr Blenkhorn, who first flagged the idea in January, said that it was still up for investigation.

“Whether you have a mall or reduced traffic flow I don’t know,” Cr Blenkhorn said. “I think the Main Street will definitely become more pedestrian friendly.”

Cr Blenkhorn is hopeful a representative of the Pakenham Business Group (PBG) and a strategic planner will accompany him to Bendigo.

PBG president Michael Porter said one of the group’s members was looking into taking the road trip.

Mr Porter said a mall was a possibility, but reassured the business community that their thoughts would be taken into account.

“The PBG will do a survey of businesses to get their feelings on this," Mr Porter said.

A Gazette survey of traders in March revealed that Pakenham business owners were split on the idea, with some concerned that closing the street off to traffic would only exacerbate the parking situation.

Of the 51 traders surveyed, 55 per cent were against the proposal, 35 per cent in favour, while 10 per cent were unsure.