Questions over timeline for Westfield Knox’s long-awaited upgrade

QUESTIONS have been raised over Westfield Knox’s long-awaited expansion, with centre management remaining tight-lipped just nine months before the centre’s development expires.

Westfield Knox shoppers are wondering when the centre’s long-awaited upgrade will begin. Picture: Stuart Milligan

QUESTIONS have been raised over Westfield Knox’s long-awaited expansion, with centre management remaining tight-lipped just nine months before the centre’s development expires.

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The centre’s latest Facebook “Where’s Westfield” promotion has prompted queries from shoppers wondering the same, albeit for the centre’s $450 million upgrade.

The shopping centre recently posted a Where’s Wally-style promotion on its page which instead prompted responses asking for news on the redevelopment which was announced in 2014 and meant to open in stages this year.

The shopping centre replied: “Redevelopment of a shopping centre is a very involved process requiring detailed planning and permit application. The plans are still progressing. We will be sure to update you as soon as we have confirmed dates.”

Westfield Knox spokeswoman Julia Clarke told Leader the development remained in “pre-development stage”.

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Ms Clarke could not say when work would start.

“Our financial results came out yesterday and (Westfield Knox) is still listed in pre-development,” Ms Clarke said.

An artist’s impression of the Westfield Knox redevelopment.

“All the approvals are in place and we’ve been working through various conditions that come as part of that approval.”

She said she was not aware of any delays in the project.

When asked if she could reassure people the development was still going ahead, she said it remained in their future development pipeline.

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Knox Mayor Darren Pearce told Leader last month they remained confident in the “exciting” redevelopment that Westfield was planning and council would continue to help them with the necessary planning approvals.

Westfield’s development permit will expire on November 26 unless an extension of time is issued.

Last year, the Manningham council gave the go-ahead to a massive $500 million expansion to Westfield Doncaster, and work is getting close to starting on the $500 million redevelopment of The Glen.

The Glen spokeswoman Ali O’Shea said customers may have noticed some changes with a handful of stores relocating and a number of retailers “saying goodbye”.

“These changes are all part of getting ready to start our upcoming redevelopment,” Ms O’Shea said.

Ms O’Shea said The Glen’s co-owners, Vicinity Centres and Perron Group, continued to work through a number of pre-development conditions and once these were resolved they would be able to provide more information on their plans.