Shepparton Mall design needs work

CONCERNED THE MALL WILL NOT MEET EXPECTATION…Shepparton Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, John Anderson. Photo: Steve Hutcheson

The Mall Revitalisation Plan has now proceeded past the community consultation phase without sufficient contribution from stakeholders, CBD traders and Shepparton Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI).

Over social media and calling various traders around the Mall, the SCCI is asking for more work on the design.

Comments such as ‘the Mall design is flawed’, ‘why remove all the trees’, ‘where is the community hub’, ‘why not use the park under the Telstra Tower’, ‘how will this design bring back traders’, ‘it’s cluttered’, ‘why have traffic in front of the village cinema, this is a safety issue’, are the questions that have been referred to the SCCI.

For the longer term the Mall design needs to include a more natural feel with an avenue of shady trees, adequate parking, slow traffic straight through the centre from Fryers to High St., and areas for business and commerce to thrive.

A simpler outcome would be to replicate the success of Fryers Street with cafes and restaurants mixed with retail, commercial business, a community hub, parking, careful traffic flow and shade trees.

If this concept can be achieved, business success will follow.

The design needs to have elements that bring excitement, passion, and a need to want to be part of a potentially dynamic boulevard design that can take the CBD into the future and bring back a mix of business and a community hub.

The current design needs a rethink to avoid spending a huge amount of money on a project that may not work for Shepparton as it must. “It’s cluttered and far too busy,” John said.

“We need a forward thinking, dynamic plan that is going to bring economic activity back to the Mall. Stakeholders, traders and SCCI are disappointed. Where now?” John asks.

“Council has listened to representation but not heard the important message,” he said.