Shopping centre plans to expand

Marrickville mall’s expansion is on the brink of approval and once sealed, will revitalize the neighbourhood’s retail environment and provide much-needed support to local shop owners.

The shopping centre is the focus of a $165 million development project that will extend the floor-space of the Metro and provide new avenues of opportunity for local shop owners.

The original proposal was revised in December 2010, with owners AMP Capital seeking to improve the surrounding neighbourhood and draw attention to local heritage sites, such as the Mill House.

The proposal has undergone a few setbacks. A spokesperson of Marrickville Council said: “[The Council] resolved that it does not want the proposal to go ahead” and forwarded a submission to the NSW Department of Planning.

On February 13 the NSW Planning Assessment Commission will consider the application in order to decide whether the project will be approved. The Metro development project is emblematic of Marrickville’s gradual transition from an industrialised suburb with increasing levels of investment in the local community.

Jodi Powell of Jeans West Marrickville believes the proposed development will be a step forward for the community.

“I think it could only benefit the area. It will attract more customers and there will be greater profits for local businesses”, she said. “Since Christmas, a lot of stores have gone bust. Some have closed down and some have relocated as there hasn’t been enough traffic. It then becomes harder for the public because of the additional transport required.”

However, with 528 new parking spaces to be introduced as part of the revised proposal, concerns have been raised over excessive levels of pollution and a surge in traffic congestion to the area.

The NSW Greens spokesperson for planning and infrastructure, David Shoebridge, believes that local residents and businesses will be most affected by the new proposal.

“The Marrickville area has a number of vibrant local shopping strips, including South King St and Marrickville Rd. If this
expansion is approved it will inevitably jeopardise the future of essential community hubs,” Mr Shoebridge said. “The local community wants to protect the character of their neighbourhood, and the government should respect that.”

Ms Powell expressed similar sentiments regarding the ramifications of the proposal. “The residents were a bit sceptical,” she
said. “Having a bigger centre with more businesses will increase the price of local properties. But I think it will be beneficial,
with increasingly more opportunities for local businesses”.

Ms Powell said the suburb of Marrickville is an ideal location for such development and that it will increase the value of the
community.

“A lot of people get scared of change. If they could only see past that then there would be a lot of potential for growth in Marrickville and its surrounding suburbs.”

By Daniel Paperny