By Matthew Sims
Store owners across Officer have been forced to undertake drastic measures to cope with dwindling customer numbers due to ongoing disruptions as a part of continuing Princes Highway roadworks.
This has included letting go of all staff, changing trading hours and selling the business altogether.
According to Cardinia Council, the Tivendale Road intersection upgrade works have been further delayed with the council now hoping the project would be complete by September.
The Pakenham Gazette first spoke to the owners of Soulfoods Cafe Shane Baker and Judith Phillips last August about how they were struggling to sell four coffees every morning due to the dwindling foot traffic, cutting their customer base by 40 per cent overnight.
While an access road to the retail and services precinct had reopened earlier this year, Mr Baker said their business was struggling when the Gazette spoke again with him in February, with business down 50 to 60 per cent, the couple unsure of how they would pay the next bill and the couple deciding to close on Sundays to save money.
The pair since decided to sell the business to new owners in May.
The Gazette spoke to Cardinia Council mayor Jack Kowarzik and general manager of infrastructure and environment Peter Benazic in mid-May, with Cr Kowarzik reassuring the community works were expected to be finished in the next four to six weeks, albeit weather dependent.
However, now about a month and a half later, works were still continuing at the intersection of Tivendale Road and Princes Highway.
The Trading Stables owner Bronwyn Baxter said foot traffic was down by about 50 per cent.
“I’ve had to let all my staff go and change my trading hours,“ she said.
Ms Baxter said she bought the business in February 2021, shortly before businesses across metropolitan Melbourne were shut down due to Covid’s third lockdown.
“It’s been a difficult path,“ she said.
“It’s made a huge hole in the business.
“It’s been one delay after another.“
Ms Baxter said she was grateful for the support of locals during the past year.
“The business has been going for probably about 27 years.
“We have a lot of loyal customers.
“I am thankful that they are still supporting us, but we understand their frustration.“
Ms Baxter said Cardinia Council’s communication with her and other local businesses had been “very poor“.
“All I need is a finish date,“ she said.
“It’s very disappointing.“
Ms Baxter said while she and other business owners had looked into launching a class action, she was hopeful continued pressure would result in the works being completed as soon as possible.
“I am determined,“ she said.
“I’m not going to let anything happen to this store.“
Officer Grain Store’s Joanne Flood said business had fallen by at least 25 per cent due to the roadworks.
“This is just killing us,“ she said.
“We have tried to be as co-operative as we can.
“It’s just got to the point where we can’t operate.“
Cardinia Council acting general manager of infrastructure and environment Misty Johannsen said the council was continuing to complete several upgrade intersection projects along Princes Highway in Officer.
“Due to the complicated nature and process of upgrading a major arterial road and intersections, there are a number of factors to consider, while we work to minimise disruptions to businesses and the wider community,“ she said.
“Civil works are now complete on the Bayview Road intersection, with minor landscaping works still outstanding.
“Traffic management remains in place, while council waits for the traffic lights to be powered up by Ausnet.“
Ms Johannsen said council were hopeful the Tivendale Road project would be completed by September.
“Due to the complexities with the design, management of the contractor and ongoing impacts due to weather, third-party authority approvals, and material and workforce shortages, the Tivendale Road intersection project has been further delayed,“ she said.
“Council is committed to continually working with local businesses to minimise disruptions and is making every effort to ensure that they are informed of upcoming activities and their timings, as soon as the information is available.
“From these discussions with businesses, council has worked with the contractor to stagger the outstanding works and reschedule as many activities as possible to take place outside of normal working hours.“
Ms Johannsen said council was offering additional support by appointing a dedicated officer to act as a key liaison for impacted businesses, with council and provide more regular communication.
“Minimising impacts to businesses is a top priority,“ she said.
“This role will offer support and access to direct advice and information and will connect businesses with resources such as business coaching and mentoring, training workshops, financial counselling, mental health support and more.
“We acknowledge the inconvenience and frustration that these works have caused, and we are working with the contractor and the relevant authorities to complete the works as fast as possible for the benefit of the community.“
