ONE of Mildura’s biggest developers has called on the local council to “get its act together” and stop sidestepping a much-needed upgrade of Langtree Mall.
Garry Davison, who is pumping tens of millions of dollars into sprucing up the city, has backed a plan by former Mildura City Heart chairman Ryan Hammerton to open up the mall with a one-way street that flows from Eighth to Ninth streets and has 43 parking spaces.
“They should open up the mall. It’s a no-brainer,” the Davison Motor Group boss said.
“It’s had its time and the model from back in the 1980s doesn’t work in 2020.”
Mr Davison said council “doesn’t need to spend any more money” on getting consultants’ blueprints for improving the mall, which has nearly half of its shops empty.
“They have already blown enough money doing that on various projects like the riverfront,” he said.
“The local town planner should be able to easily sort this out.
“Ryan’s on the right track with his plan. We definitely need to open the mall back up to traffic and include the parking. What’s to lose with this? Nothing, because the mall is really struggling, and it’s a bad look for Mildura.”
Mr Davison said the mall “has a lot of potential”, but that “we just need to cater for the needs of people today, which is greater convenience with parking”.
The council’s 2020-35 Mildura CBD plan does not recommend a through-road for the mall. But it does propose looking at “opportunities for multi-story car parking in accessible locations” to help liven up the city centre.
However, it did not say where the possible sites were to put in extra parking.
The plan also maps out a “placemaking” project for Langtree Avenue, from Seventh to Tenth streets, with more plants, decorative lighting and features that “stimulate street life through recognisable elements” on Langtree Ave. There would also be a redevelopment of Feast Street.
Mr Davison and Mr Hammerton said council had failed to recognise what was needed to deliver a vibrant mall that locals can easily access and be proud of.
“Seriously, just open it up,” Mr Davison said.
“All of this shouldn’t be a hard exercise, but it’s being made that way. Council needs to get its act together.
“It’s their job to do this, not keep going back to get the advice of consultants – and wasting ratepayers’ money.”
Mr Hammerton said: “(Council) plans on doing nothing much to the mall over the next 15 years.
“Maybe a few trees and a few seats. Will that help you with access and parking?
“Do you think that’ll entice private enterprise to open a business? Does that align with your vision of the mall and Feast Street over the coming 15 years?
“The conditions have changed and so must the plan.”
