‘Hub’ plans progressing

By Paul Dunlop
PLANS are moving ahead to turn land formerly earmarked for a new civic centre precinct into a major shopping and entertainment hub in the heart of Pakenham.
Cardinia Shire Council was said last week to be progressing negotiations with a number of potential retailers for the John Street site.
A cinema is among the possible options for the site although nothing has yet been confirmed.
Council some years ago bought several adjoining parcels of land as part of a plan to relocate the shire offices into a new onestop centre that was to also incorporate the town’s library and Southern Health.
That plan fell apart last July when Southern Health pulled out of the project, announcing instead that it would retain its current Pakenham headquarters on Princes Highway. The move was the subject of plenty of debate at the time and has sparked plenty of speculation in the community over the future of the John Street land.
Council chief executive officer Don Welsh said he hoped there would be some announcements soon.
Adding further intrigue to the situation is the need for council to make a decision on its future accommodation arrangements.
The current shire headquarters in Henty Way has been said to be inadequate to service the needs of the fastgrowing local population.
It is believed the council is likely to remain where it is and renovate rather than relocate, however that is a decision unlikely to be made until after the November elections.
In council’s 200405 annual report, released last week, Mr Welsh said the John Street site, assembled by the council at a cost of about $1 million, remained a valuable asset that had since quadrupled in value.
“Our development project partners have continued with a plan to create a revitalised retail heart on the site, while leaving to council arrangements for civic centre office accommodation,” he said.