Deserted Wonga Park Village Centre remains empty as permits for renovation lapse

A DESERTED Wonga Park shopping stripped dubbed Melbourne’s saddest looks doomed to remain a ghost town for the foreseeable future after permits to renovate the block lapsed.

Wonga Park’s Village Centre is a shopping centre without shops — and will remain that way for the foreseeable future. Picture: Valeriu Campan

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WONGA Park Village Centre looks doomed to remain a ghost town for the foreseeable future.

The centre was once a vibrant shopping strip, but tenants were slowly evicted. Picture: Carmelo Bazzano

Planning permits to renovate the run-down block, which has stood completely vacant for 18 months, have now lapsed.

Leader reported last November that internal work to expand the floor space of one of the shops had started — only to stop just as quickly.

Workers had downed tools apparently never to return and now the Manningham Council permits for the work have expired, ensuring the centre will remain empty for the foreseeable future.

What should happen to the centre? Leave a comment below.

The news is not good for lovers of the once vibrant local village who have been calling on NSW businesswoman Pamela Morris, who owns the site, to rejuvenate it ever since the last tenant was unceremoniously booted out.

The hairdresser was the last business to be evicted, receiving notice in late 2015. Picture: Carmelo Bazzano

LJ’s Total Look Hair owner Lyn Munro received an eviction notice over Christmas 2015, leaving every shop in the Launders Ave centre vacant.

Ms Morris has consistently refused to speak to Leader and council about the issue.

Teresa Dominik, council’s director of planning and environment, said council was committed to improving shopping centres across the municipality.

Community members have rallied to save the shops, to no avail. Picture: Carmelo Bazzano

“A permit was approved by council for proposed works which included a new external stair on the northern wall and extension of the floor space and western wall of the existing building,” she said.

“A permit extension was granted for this upgrade but this has now lapsed. Council will consider any proposal for this shopping village which supports a viable and vibrant local shopping precinct for the community.”

Facebook users have continuously voiced their frustration through Leader’s page and local page Petition to save Wonga Park Village shops, which has more than 1000 likes.

Leader attempted to contact Ms Morris but she hung up the phone.