Mandurah retail hub a boon for economy

Mandurah is set to boast WA’s largest major retail hub outside of the Perth metropolitan area after plans for the $300 million redevelopment of the city’s shopping centre were unveiled on Monday.

Colin Barnett and his cabinet were in the South West city earlier this week, with a sod turning ceremony ahead of a significant upgrade to the Mandurah Forum Shopping Centre.

The Premier said the investment in the retail precinct would be a key driver in employment in the region, with 1050 construction jobs and 700 permanent jobs to be created.

“The Mandurah Forum Shopping Centre is set to become the largest major regional retail hub south of the Perth metropolitan area,” he said.

“As the population in the Peel region rapidly expands, this new centre will play a pivotal role in shifting the traditional focus of shopping complexes as simply being a place to shop, to one that brings people together and provides a sense of place and social and recreational opportunities closer to local amenities and homes.”

Mr Barnett said David Jones would be one of the major tenants and that the investment showed the State Government’s dedication to the Peel region.

“When the project is completed, it will have almost doubled the size of its retail floor space to 71,000sqm and include an extra two department stores and about 150 new specialty stores,” he said.

“This project is an excellent example of how the State Government’s comprehensive planning policies are changing complex retail developments to better serve community needs through a range of land uses.”

New Planning Minister Donna Faragher said Peel’s expanding population was in mind, with the current 500,000 people living in the region expected to at least double in the next 35 years.

Vicinity Centres executive general manager Jonathan Timms said the presence of David Jones would be appealing to consumers.

Business Foundations business advisor Amanda Phillips said the centre’s funding was great for Mandurah.

“This redevelopment of a major retail complex in the Peel region will meet the growing needs of the rapidly expanding Peel,” she said.

“It will significantly assist our local community and business sector, which in turn will raise the economic growth of the area. It is most welcome project, given our population is expected to grow to 1.2 million by 2050.”