More shops and restaurants for Westfield Marion if expansion goes to plan

A $259.3 million expansion proposed for the state’s biggest shopping centre at Marion has been welcomed by the local council — even though it will cut hundreds of parking spaces.

An artist’s impression of a proposed $259.3m expansion of Marion’s Westfield Shopping Centre.

• How Westfield Marion became SA’s biggest shopping centre

A $259.3 million expansion proposed for Marion’s Westfield Shopping Centre has been welcomed by Marion Council — with some reservations.

Scentre Group, the company behind the development, has lodged an application with the State Commission Assessment Panel.

Public consultation continues until January 9.

Elements of the development include a reduction in carparking and the loss of eight significant trees.

Lettable floor area will increase by 16,896 square metres, from 135,302 square metres to 152,198 square metres, allowing for an additional 52 specialty shops, another 20 restaurants and food outlets, and other businesses.

An artist’s impression of how the shopping centre will look from Diagonal Rd.

The development’s major features include alterations and additions to current buildings, through the construction of a second parallel mall on Level 1, or Westfield Marion’s ground floor.

Existing precincts on Level 2 and 3 – the first and second floors – will also expand.

Alterations to carparking facilities will include additional parking levels.

However, the work will result in a net loss of parking spaces, down from 5250 to 4956.

There will be changes to vehicle access, and vehicle and pedestrian movements.

The development includes a ticketless parking system.

Shoppers looking for bargains at Westfield Marion in the 2016 post-Christmas sales. Picture: Mark Brake

At their meeting on Tuesday, councillors expressed some dismay the work would reduce parking.

“The fact this is a $250 million redevelopment with a reduction in carparking is astonishing,” Cr Tim Pfeiffer said.

Cr Tim Gard, also concerned about parking, which could be pushed into nearby streets, felt there wasn’t “a lot of science behind it”.

“They’re talking about taking away eight significant trees, so shade is also an issue,” he said.

Cr Bruce Hull questioned the timing of the public consultation in the lead-up to Christmas, while Cr Raelene Telfer expressed concern at the quality of the new facade to Diagonal Rd.

“I’m concerned we don’t end up with a huge shopping centre that looks like it could be anywhere in the world,” she said.

The council noted the centre attracted 14 million visitors a year. As a commercial enterprise, however, financial turnover was confidential.

Mayor Kris Hanna said that all in all the development would be beneficial.

Writing to the assessment panel, Council said: “The City of Marion overall supports the application to redevelop the Westfield Centre and believes it will have a positive impact on the region economically and socially.”

The existing exterior of the shopping centre.

All but Cr Hull were in favour.

A Scentre Group spokesperson said: “We have submitted a development application for a proposed redevelopment of Westfield Marion.

“As part of these plans, we are looking forward to expanding our dining, leisure and entertainment offer, as well as upgrading our fashion precinct.

“It is too early to confirm any further details at this stage.”