Langtree Mall: Mildura councillors to meet, plan consultation amid traffic debate

It’s the mall that for more than 30 years has been the outdoor shopping artery of Mildura. But it’s suffering, with stores closed and debate about its future raging.

One of the vacancies in Mildura's Langtree Mall. Picture: Michael DiFabrizio

For years it has been Mildura’s premier shopping strip.

But there are fears Langtree Mall is on life support, with 19 shops vacant and its future unclear having taken a pounding in the coronavirus pandemic.

There is talk of radical action to give the mall the shot in the arm it needs.

There have been calls to return cars to the pedestrian-only mall, which opened in 1986, and debates about the mall’s future were a hot topic during the October council elections.

Mall trader Ryan Hammerton proposed the return of a single lane of traffic, with short-term parking, to bring customers closer to stores.

Some of the businesses to have left the mall, such as the Commonwealth Bank and Aussie Disposals, have moved to spaces that have parking out the front.

The new council will next week meet to discuss what steps can be taken.

Councillors have already received a preliminary briefing on the CBD Plan and the mall.

A store set to close in Mildura's Langtree Mall. Picture: Michael DiFabrizio

Mildura City Heart chair Adam Hobbs said loyal shoppers had thrown

thrown their support behind CBD businesses during the Christmas period, with

Sales of City Heart gift cards hitting a record for December.

“Mildura City Heart traders have been so grateful and thankful to the Mildura community over the Christmas period, it showed on everyone‘s sales,” Mr Hobbs said.

Councillors all agree something needs to be done but Deputy Mayor Helen Healy said it was a “really tricky one”.

“I’d hate us to spend a million dollars or more, particularly post-COVID, on something that may not work anyway,” she said.

Cr Mark Eckel acknowledged “times change” and that retail businesses were being hurt by online shopping but also cautioned against any kneejerk reactions.

“You need to look at what the City Heart is going to look like in the years to come,” he said.

“The centre of Mildura is more likely to be on the corner of Seventh St and Langtree Ave.”

Providing links for pedestrians to move about the CBD was also important, he added.

There is even talk of whether Mildura even needs a mall

Cr Glenn Milne said: “From all the people I’ve spoken to, that includes property owners, business owners, former business owners, the cost of doing business there is high,” he said.

“That needs to be addressed, whether that’s rate reductions or rent reductions, that’s got to be looked at.

“Very few people are in favour of the mall remaining a mall, very few country towns have malls.

“Maybe even the City Heart levy — it’s an expensive cost that’s added on to the cost of business, maybe that needs to be really looked at to see if people really are in favour of it.”

Cr Jodi Reynolds said her position was that traffic wasn’t going to solve the mall’s issues.

Cr Stefano de Pieri said he wanted to see an engineering report to see if the mall could sustain the reintroduction of traffic for a trial period.

“My suggestion would be a six-month trial (of before committing to a full revamp, because we’re talking six figures.”