Kaufland in mix as Panorama TAFE set to be bulldozed after Bunnings pulls out

THE derelict former TAFE site at Panorama is set to be bulldozed in coming weeks, but it is still not certain what its future holds.

The Panorama TAFE site on Goodwood Rd.

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THE derelict former TAFE site at Panorama is set to be bulldozed in coming weeks, but it is still not certain what its future holds.

Bunnings — which owns the site but has abandoned plans for a $45 million outlet there — last week confirmed it was looking for a long-term proposal to develop the Goodwood Rd property that has been vacant since 2013.

Bunnings’ general manager of property Andrew Marks told the HillsValley Weekly the company was in the “early stages of preparing the site for demolition”.

“Once the works are completed, we will be exploring other development opportunities for the site,” Mr Marks said.

A Bunnings spokeswoman would not elaborate on what those opportunities might be.

The HillsValley Weekly understands German supermarket chain Kaufland has expressed an interest in the area, although it is not known if that interest relates specifically to the TAFE site.

Kaufland development manager Samuel Russell-McLeod attended a planning workshop on the Goodwood and Daws roads precinct — organised by Mitcham Council and planning firm Jensen Plus — last October.

Mr Russell-McLeod did not return calls.

The Panorama TAFE site on Goodwood Rd.

Kaufland has already bought the landmark Le Cornu site on Anzac Highway for $25 million to establish its first Australian store.

Mitcham Mayor Glenn Spear said he had asked Bunnings to clear the site because of persistent vandalism.

He said it was a “huge site with a lot of potential”.

“The whole precinct could be a very important precinct for Mitcham,” Mr Spear said.

“The situation is Bunnings are good corporate citizens. I’d love the opportunity of doing something with Bunnings or any development is welcomed.

Commercial development in the area would create jobs for locals during and after construction and create a “windfall” in rates, he said.

Panorama Clapham Community Group spokesman Neil Baron said the demolition was “welcome news”.

“Something has to go in there,” Mr Baron said.

“It will be some sort of retail or commercial and I think most people in the community would accept a good retail proposal as opposed to a big factory or something like that.

“We do have to accept the fact this is a commercial area and something has to happen. The government was quick to rezone the Repat site and logic says they should be able to rezone this one, too.”

He said Bunnings had bought the former TAFE site from the State Government in “good faith” and should be allowed to develop it.

The hardware giant’s original plans for the property were knocked back by Mitcham Council’s development assessment panel in 2016.

The HillsValley Weekly last week reported police and security had often been called to the site because of vandalism and intruders.