WORK on a Woolworths development in Mt Pleasant, previously opposed due to concerns over increased traffic, is now underway.
The $23.5 million project, being built on the corner of Reynolds Road and Canning Highway, will include a ground-level Woolworths store.
Above the shopping centre will be space for specialty tenancies, which will likely be medical and lifestyle based.
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READ NOWThe development, which replaces the old medical precinct opposite the two-storey McDonald’s restaurant, will also include two underground levels with bays for up to 236 cars.
With the only entry point to the 4900sq m commercial precinct being Reynolds Roads, and the congested nature of Canning Highway, flags were raised about the local road network’s ability to cope with additional vehicles.
Melville Mayor Russell Aubrey said traffic was always a concern but was confident a new right turning pocket, to be built on Reynolds Road, would ease some of the burden.
Mr Aubrey said the development would be significant for the City and add vibrancy and employment to the area.
He said it fulfilled a wish from the State Government to encourage people to “live close to transport nodes and transport corridors”.
“But (the State Government has) an obligation to provide the infrastructures to support that,” he said.
“The City of Melville is looking forward to some upgrades along Canning Highway in the not too distant future.”
Construction on the new Woolworths project will create 170 construction jobs, with 100 more retail opportunities up for grabs when the centre opens in mid-2019.
Woolworths development manager Jarrad Wilson said the aim was to deliver a “state-of-the-art centre”.
“The centre is all about convenience,” he said.
“It’s convenient parking, convenient access and we’re offering a full-line supermarket.”
Adco construction manager Peter Tobin said his team was excited to be part of the project.
“Obviously it’s a difficult build due to location but it fits perfectly in the portfolio for Adco’s workload here in WA and we’re excited to be working with Woolworths again on such a prestigious project,” he said.
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