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Shops to attract 5500 more daily

Emma Clayton, Melville TimesMelville Gazette

Customers will be able enjoy new stores such as Zara, Top Shop and H&M, better public transport, and an entertainment district.

The plans were approved by the WA Planning Commission (WAPC) last week and Melville Mayor Russell Aubrey said they allowed for the formation of a mixed-use city centre, adding a piazza of restaurants and cafes to the retail offering.

‘This structure plan is important for us to develop a thriving centre for our city, a multi-use area that invites people in and becomes the heart of the community,’ Mr Aubrey said.

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‘The approved plan proposes some exciting benefits for the community, including a new high street with high-end retail, cafes and restaurants, a central piazza to provide a vibrant and welcoming place, and a new community hub integrating a library, community centre and meeting spaces.’

He said the addition of apartments would meet the changing needs of local residents.

‘As our population increases, the next generations grow-up and move out, and our older residents decide to downsize, there is also a need to provide more housing choices, ensuring there are opportunities in the future for people to have access to key transport links and live close to the City Centre,’ Mr Aubrey said.

Alfred Cove MLA and Transport Minister Dean Nalder said the projected 5500 new visitors per day would affect local roads and traffic flow.

‘AMP Capital, the owner of the centre, has already investigated traffic upgrades as part of the structure plan to ensure people can get into and out of the shopping centre as part of the redevelopment,’ he said.

‘I will work closely with Garden City and AMP to manage traffic flows to and from the centre, along local roads and to maximise public transport. I will also investigate options to better link the redevelopment with Murdoch University, Fiona Stanley Hospital and St John of God Hospital, Canning Bridge Station and other activity centres.’

Mr Nalder said he did not believe the larger centre would affect other local shopping precincts.

‘I shop locally and also at Garden City,’ he said. ‘The new redevelopment is not going to change my shopping patterns.

‘I see local businesses in Alfred Cove serving a different purpose than those at Garden City. I believe people will continue to support local businesses for their daily coffee, to shop at boutique stores and enjoy a sense of community.’

AMP Capital state development manager Scott Nugent said the approval came after extensive consultation with the City of Melville, WAPC and local residents.

‘Customers tell us they find that Garden City is looking tired and say they are looking forward to it being updated,’ he said.

He said customers also wanted more large fashion stores as well as more restaurants and small bars to be on offer.

Mr Nugent said there were no plans for customers to pay for parking at the centre.