Shopping Centre
We reported in our last Newsletter that we have seen a pamphlet prepared by Ray White Mordialloc, (Real Estate agents) showing an aerial photograph of our shopping centre with the following promotional material which reads: “Opportunity for residential development. A substantial part of the top floor of Aspendale Gardens Shopping Centre has become available for development subject to planning and council approval. This is a unique opportunity requiring a unique developer and builder.” The pamphlet has a 'SOLD” label affixed so something is planned for this site. It is our understanding that the current owner of the shopping centre does not own the top floor of the building because the previous owner retained ownership of the roof area when he sold the building. AGRA wrote to council seeking further information and also placed the item on the March Village Committee agenda but it was left off the minutes. It was re-raised at the May VC meeting. To date we have no further information from Council however a local resident reports, that he had 'heard' and noted that up to 32 units/apartments might be built upstairs on the shopping centre. He recently saw surveyors in the shopping centre grounds. Councillor Donna Bauer has promised to chase up information on the development of the second floor of the shopping centre. Ritchie's have no knowledge of what is happening on the roof however we will also seek Ritchie's view on this latest information.
Since our last Newsletter the Bendigo Bank has had its opening day and the new coffee shop outside the Bank has also opened and a new owner has taken over the butcher shop. I must say that I was impressed with the meat display. So, overall things are looking good in the shopping centre.
We will be raising the need with Ritchie's to keep the outside area clean and tidy. We have received a number of reports of rubbish, mostly packaging, ending up on local roads and in front gardens.