$80 m complex

PLANS for an $80 million shopping complex featuring Woolworths and Big W are gaining pace, with civic leaders voting to proceed with selling land for the development.
The council will get $8 million and $2.4 million for a car park licence from the sale, which will pave the way for the hub’s construction.
Councillors have given the sale of land bordered by Henry and John streets the green light, despite one objection from a nearby landowner.
Peter Gribbins, who lives in Henry Street, was concerned about extra traffic being generated from the development, saying that the surrounding streets simply weren’t wide enough and the retail hub, to feature an extra 862 car spaces, wasn’t the solution to Pakenham’s parking woes.
Cardinia Shire mayor Bill Pearson said the development would meet the council’s parking requirements and there were also plans to extend Henry Street to Racecourse Road after the Pakenham Racecourse was sold.
The development is expected to provide more than 600 jobs for the community.