Shoppers threaten to boycott McCrae Plaza over centre’s
Empty shops, dirty floors and toilets and a stench of cooking oil – is this the saddest shopping centre on the Mornington Peninsula?
South East
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Fed-up shoppers are demanding action over a “sad, derelict” Mornington Peninsula shopping centre that has become a “ghost town”.
McCrae residents have launched a campaign to have their local plaza urgently upgraded.
Julie Gentle has started an online petition calling for investment in the Point Nepean Road centre.
“We believe investments should be made in refurbishing the plaza, maintaining clean and updated flooring, addressing the odour of cooking oil upon entry, having the toilets (properly) cleaned and up to all (health and safety) standards and ensuring fair and reasonable rent rates,” she said.
“It’s currently like a ghost town, even from the outside.”
Ms Gentle said if improvements weren’t made residents would bypass the plaza and shop in nearby Dromana instead.
She said improvements could encourage a greater range of tenants including a cafe, bakery and butcher to move to the centre.
Ann Lennox said she signed the petition because the centre was “a disgrace”.
“Shops are empty, the state of the toilet is a health risk,” she said.
Ms Lennox wanted new legislation making it a requirement for landlords to ensure a certain percentage of shops were rented.
Sheryl Callanan said the centre used to be “fantastic”.
“It needs a new lease of life,” she said.
Donna Lye said attracting a cafe to the plaza would provide a meeting place and encourage community spirit.
Moe Ngo bought the shopping centre about 12 years ago,
He said he was aware of the petition and was open to suggestions to improve the centre and make it a community meeting place.
“I have a quote to paint the centre inside and outside. I want to have that done soon. It will make everything look better,” he said.
He also hoped to improve landscaping around the centre.
Mr Ngo said he had struggled to find a cafe tenant and had been unable to renew the lease of another tenant after they failed to pay rent for six years.
“I have four vacancies now,” he said.
