Traders assured

By Paul Dunlop
MAJOR retailers will not bypass Pakenham to set up shop at Fountain Gate or other nearby centres.
That was the message from Cardinia Shire chief executive officer Don Welsh.
Neighbouring City of Casey recently launched concept plans for an activity centre that will include a major new retail centre in Narre Warren.
The centre is expected to try to woo several new big business operators, but Mr Welsh dismissed any suggestion the new development would lessen interest in Pakenham.
Mr Welsh said the local area held plenty of attraction for big business in its own right. He said it was more likely that major retailers would look at having a presence in both centres.
“They are completely separate markets,” Mr Welsh said.
“We don’t have to try and convince them to come here, they’re coming to us.”
Mr Welsh said the recent start to construction of the Pakenham Bypass had helped heighten business interest in the area.
The council and other authorities expect the completion of the $242 million project in 2007 would open the door for a new era in the district’s growth and vitality.
Mr Welsh said the council was in discussion with a number of retailers interested in coming to Pakenham. He said it was hoped some announcements could be made soon.
Mr Welsh’s comments came with the council 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.
A cinema is among the possible options for the site although nothing has yet been confirmed.
Some years ago the council 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 retain its current Pakenham headquarters on the Princes Highway and pour more money into improving other centres.
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.
In council’s 200405 annual report, released recently, 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, whilst leaving to council arrangements for civic centre office accommodation,” the CEO said.