More glass, extra level in planned $12m shopping centre revamp in Adelaide’s west

A MULTI-million dollar plan to modernise a shopping centre in Adelaide’s west is to be discussed tonight: the vision includes a glass-fronted, two-storey building and a new food court.

The existing Coles and Kmart will not be affected by the development, which includes a new two-storey glass-fronted section but a 2-storey, glass-fronted building is planned for where the mall is now.

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THE owner of the Port Canal Shopping Centre has lodged plans for a $12 million upgrade of the complex.

The project would include demolishing the main mall and replacing it with a glass-fronted, two-storey building with room for eight shops and a new food court.

The existing Coles and Kmart would not be affected by the development.

The plan will be discussed by the state’s Development Assessment Commission at a meeting tonight.

Traders at the centre were unaware of the project last week.

Some said it was in desperate need of a revamp to attract more shoppers, while others were concerned about the potential disruption to their businesses.

Many of centre’s shops were vacant and some of the businesses were shutting up early when the Portside Messenger visited the site on Saturday at 2pm.

Yvonne Hristakopoulos, who owns Fastbreak cafe, was in two minds over the plans.

“We need a redevelopment,” she said.

“My business is going to suffer (during the redevelopment), I hope they can compromise on the rent or something.

“If it goes ahead I hope it does well, but then they are going to put other cafes in so I might have to close down ... it’s scary times doing what I do.”

Dave Singu who works at his brother’s store Fashion 4 U said the development would be good for the centre.

His brother, Jerry Singu, is relocating his store to Elizabeth after Christmas because there was not enough customers coming through the centre.

“It won’t be good for us, but for whoever comes next,” he said.

Lin Hua, who owns Man Lin Gourmet, was concerned about what would happen to the shops during the demolition.

However, she said it would be great if the project attracted more customers.

The centre is owned by The Precision Group, which also owns Adelaide Central Plaza in Rundle Mall and shopping centres interstate.

The company did not respond to questions about the Port Canal project this week.

Port Adelaide Enfield Council planners have expressed some concerns about the design, and have requested more information about the amount of car parking and access for taxis and people with disabilities.

The council’s senior planning and transport officers Tim Hicks and Kerry McConnell have been invited to address tomorrow’s Development Assessment Commission meeting.