Progress on old Cascade Tavern site in Maylands

Coles bought the former Cascade Tavern site near KFC in Maylands in 2008 and since then has let it become derelict.

Maylands Ratepayers and Residents Association (MRRA) members sent Coles three letters over two years, the last sent in May 2015, asking the company to clean up the area.

MRRA member Elliaz Pik said the letters went unanswered, which led him to create the Facebook page, ‘Coles, why don’t you care about Maylands?’ in a campaign for the company to improve the site.

Mr Pik said as the land was part of the Maylands activity centre, community members would like to be involved in any improvements to it. “The degraded Coles site has an impact on all of us,” he said.

“It affects the surrounding businesses, the image of our suburb, our sense of community and even the value of our properties.

“Coles wouldn’t keep land in Subiaco looking like this, and they shouldn’t be allowed to get away with it in Maylands.

“Only public pressure will bring change.”

Pressuring Coles through the Facebook page paid off and led the company to agree to fix up the area, which it now plans to sell.

Mr Pik said MRRA members hoped any new owner would realise the importance of the site to the centre of Maylands and quickly move to improve its appearance.

“The community would be keen to be involved in any future development on the land, to ensure that it benefits our suburb,” he said.