By Jessica Anstice
The people of Pakenham have spoken – and they want a Kmart on the old Woolies site in John Street.
A planning permit application has been submitted to Cardinia Council to build a retail complex, including a Kmart, along the Princes Highway in Pakenham adjacent to Cardinia Life.
But while they desperately want a Kmart, locals say that’s not the best place for Australia’s most keenly sought-after department store.
The applicant has proposed to build the complex, which also includes a cinema, medical centre and restaurants, at 900 Princes Highway.
But the overwhelming opinion of most residents is Kmart should be built where the old Woolworths was on John Street.
The Gazette released a poll on social media, asking users which site they would prefer.
After gaining 1580 opinions, the results showed 71 per cent favoured the John Street site and just 29 per cent the Princes Highway location.
Cardinia Council is currently considering the proposal and the application is being advertised for public comment until 10 June.
One resident, Johnny Roberts opposed to the Princes Highway site because, “Between 4pm and 8.30pm each weeknight you’ve got swimming lessons and stadium comps running, easily a couple of thousand people moving through that area at that time.
“If the Kmart had direct access to the highway that’d be great, but the building combined with parking might infringe on land being used by circuses, for example.”
Pakenham resident Lisa Rowe suggested the proposed location could work from a business view, but ideally, shifting Kmart into the old Woolworths site would be “amazing for that area”.
“It would be perfect (Princes Highway site) because it would stand out and lure customers to their site,” Ms Rowe said.
“But as a staff member who worked at the old Woolworths, I would love to see the area come back to life and hopefully it would mean that the other businesses in the area would also gain a lot more foot activity and business.”
Deb Bryce believes the constructions of Pakenham Market Place caused the John Street area to “suffer” and therefore, Kmart would benefit that end of Pakenham.
“Council are very quick to take developers money to build new buildings but it may take years before a new store is even built, we could have a Kmart in the old Woolworths site by the end of year if they choose to,” Ms Bryce added.
Kmart Australia could not be reached for comment.
