Heathmont Village traders hope shoppers return after safety upgrades
TRADERS at Heathmont Village are begging shoppers to return following the completion of the shopping centre’s $1.2 million safety upgrades, four months later than expected.
Outer East
Don't miss out on the headlines from Outer East. Followed categories will be added to My News.
TRADERS are begging shoppers to return to Heathmont Village following the completion of the centre’s bungled and delayed safety upgrades.
Most of the $1.2 million federally-funded carpark and traffic light works were completed last month, four months after their expected mid-May completion date.
The project’s delays have frustrated Maroondah Council with chief executive Steve Kozlowski describing it as “the project from hell” at a business dinner attended by Maroondah Leader last month.
HEATHMONT VILLAGE’S $1.2 MILLION UPGRADES RUN PAST DEADLINE
CAR SMASHES INTO FENCE NEAR HEATHMONT VILLAGE SHOPPING CENTRE
CAR CRASHES INTO SHOPFRONT AT HEATHMONT VILLAGE
Beautification works and the installation of planter boxes are still to be done, while contractors also had to rip out and replace four “splitter islands” in the carpark because they were too high.
Traders told Maroondah Leader the islands triggered two accidents shortly after they were installed last month, including a motorist getting “beached” on one island.
Heathmont Newsagency’s Jasper Lai said he had lost 30 per cent of his usual trade and customers had complained about the design of the new carpark.
“They say it’s an upgrade and it’s making it safer, but its made it more difficult for shoppers to park,” he said.
“But the U-turn sign is working well and now construction work has finished, we hope people will come back.”
Anton’s Fresh Grocery owner Nick Ghumen said the works “created a lot of problems for customers, tradies and customers”.
“They took too many car spots and it took too long,” he said. “It does impact on takings and foot traffic.”
Arrabri Ward councillor Kylie Spears said the village’s traders were “a special group” and encouraged shoppers to support them.
In a statement, Mayor Nora Lamont said the council would consult with traders “on the design, location and timing of any future planter boxes”.
She said replacing the splitter islands did not incur an extra cost as it was completed during the construction period.
Cr Lamont did not say if traders would be compensated for the delays, saying the new works “significantly improve the safe access and functioning of the centre which remains a popular and vibrant neighbourhood shopping destination”.
MORE NEWS:
GRAND FINAL DAY SUCCESS IN MELBOURNE’S OUTER EAST
How an Indian migrant broke into the AFL manufacturing game
An Indian migrant came to Australia with a dream – today he has sold more than half a million AFL footballs. Here’s how he did it.
Pictures: Victorian preppies start their first day of school
About 70,000 Victorian grade prep students have started their first year of school this week. Check back to see all the photos from primary schools across the state.