Residents unhappy with shop backflip

A Baldivis resident says she feels “ripped off” after discovering plans for a neighbourhood centre in The Rivergums estate may no longer go ahead.

The centre was planned for a 5828sqm site as part of stage five of The Rivergums Estate on the corner of Claret Ash Boulevard and Grandis Drive.

Cedar Woods WA State manager Stuart Duplock confirmed the site was still zoned for the centre; however, there had been little interest from supermarket operators or shopping centre developers to date, because of the site’s small size and location.

Claret Ash Boulevard resident Kathleen Glasgow said she and her husband bought their block based on the original plans.

After waiting three years, Mrs Glasgow said she made contact with Cedar Woods, only to be told there was no interest to develop the land.

“I feel totally disappointed, we feel a little bit ripped off because it is a big investment for us and we haven’t had any communication about it,” she said.

“We could have bought in Settlers near the shops, but we chose to come here with the faith that they told us there was going to be shops here three years ago.

“It was so we could be in walking distance to shops, as part of an investment as well, and so my elderly parents could walk to the shops.”

Mrs Glasgow said all she wanted was a few services, including a deli, a take-away restaurant and a post box.

Mr Duplock said Cedar Woods exhausted all opportunities to seek commercial development of the site last year and had begun discussions with the City of Rockingham about changing the use of the site to residential.

“The proposed change of use for the neighbourhood centre is unfortunate and not what Cedar Woods would have preferred,” he said.

“We, however, need to be realistic and cannot continue to leave the site vacant.”

Rockingham Mayor Barry Sammels confirmed the City had received an application to modify the structure plan for The Rivergums estate.

Cr Sammels said the application was on hold pending the submission of additional information by the proponent.