Business fights crime

By Melissa Meehan
WORKING together to build a better business community.
That was the theme for June’s Pakenham Business Group meeting at the racecourse.
Guest Speaker, Inspector Wayne Viney spoke about how police wanted to work hand in hand with the community and business community to target areas of concern.
Insp Viney highlighted the need to members of the business world in Pakenham, and Cardinia, to join the new Neighbourhood Watch committee on 24 June at the Cardinia Cultural Centre.
He said the committee, to be chosen at the meeting later this month, would work hand in hand with police to target issues throughout the area.
“We really think it’s important that we have the communication between the community and ourselves to target problem areas,” he said.
Business Development Officer at Cardinia Shire Council, Phil Jackson, also spoke at the meeting to update the group about things happening through council.
He said the old police station site in Pakenham had been acquired by the council to make way for 120 car parking spaces for shoppers once the Woolworths development starts.
Despite the News being told by a Woolworths spokesman that construction would begin within the next four to six weeks, Mr Jackson said he couldn’t give a concrete start date.
Mr Jackson said the council had also given approval for Officeworks and a Spotlight-like store to establish themselves behind Bunnings.