Development hots up

PAKENHAM’S business community will hear more about plans for one of the biggest retail projects in the town’s history when the Pakenham Business Group holds its annual general meeting.
The development of an $80 million hub is gathering momentum, after settlement for the project was reached on Monday.
Key players involved in the development, which will feature a Big W department store and Woolworths supermarket, will address the PBG’s annual general meeting on 27 October.
PBG president Michael Porter said the presentation by Lindsay Rowles from Woolworths and project manager Travis Erridge would hopefully answer a lot of questions about the highly anticipated project.
“There has been a lot of talk around town about this new development,” he said. “Well, this is the chance for people in the business community to hear all about the project and have any questions they have answered.”
Mr Porter said the developers were also keen to meet with the PBG and the council on a regular basis to keep the community updated on the project.
Meanwhile, the council is still looking at ways to make more parking available in the area with the pending closure of a 288-space car parking bay in Treloar Lane.
The bay was expected to be fenced off shortly after settlement.
Mr Porter said he understood it would be closed off in stages following discussions with the developer.
“While fencing is going up, everyone should take note that the fencing won’t come (all the way) to Treloar Lane for as long as they can avoid it – this will save 150 spots.”
The other speaker for the AGM will be Cardinia Shire community safety officer Richard Maugueret, who will touch on the recent shire-wide graffiti clean-up and what businesses should do with recurrences and general community safety issues.
Mr Porter said the group had changed the format of the annual meeting this year, to be held at the Cardinia Cultural Centre from 5.30pm on Tuesday 27 October.
He said the business of the AGM would be handled first, with the option of staying for dinner and hearing the guest speakers afterwards.
Cost for the dinner and speakers is $29 for members and $37 for non-members.
Mr Porter said all positions would be open and he encouraged more people from the business community to get involved with the group executive.
Mr Porter said the PBG had, for the past four years, been building a relationship with the shire and had now been rewarded as the group was now seen as a focal point in dealings around the town.
He said it was more important than ever to join and have a united voice. Members would be kept more informed than non-members at a cost of $60.
Anyone wanting to nominate for the committee can do so in writing to: Pakenham Business Group, Secretary, PO Box 711, Pakenham 3810, or via email to m.tones@pakenham.countryracing.com.au by 20 October.