By Jamie Salter
A number of sections of footpaths around the Officer Town Centre development are yet to be completed, frustrating local residents and business owners.
Instead of having pride in his new home on the corner of Coxon Street and Piggott Street, Kong Yong has been left wondering why streetscape works have not continued since October 2021.
Mr Yong moved into his new home in June and says he has received no updates regarding when his front yard will be fixed.
“It’s caused us a lot of inconvenience,“ Mr Yong said.
“My kids are six, five, and one years old and the two eldest like to play on their bicycles which is dangerous here.
“When family came over during Christmas they asked what was going on, and a lot of rubbish is thrown over the fence.
“Nothing has been done in months and we are being forgotten.“
The footpath works have not been able to progress due to delays in finishing civil works on a Development Victoria housing project adjacent to Coxon Street.
Development Victoria’s group head property Penny Forrest said works to finish the corner of Coxon and Piggott Street will be completed by the end of April.
“Works to finish the remaining section of footpaths around the Officer Town Centre will start later this month and are expected to be completed by the end of April,“ she said.
“All townhouses on Coxon Street have access to a footpath from their front gates.
“Any unfinished areas are either fenced off or clearly marked by safety flags to the satisfaction of Cardinia Shire Council.”
The footpath in front of the development’s shopping centre also could not progress until STM Developments finished construction of the shopping centre.
The shopping centre was completed in early 2022 and fit-outs remain ongoing.
Shop owner Ben Borovic will open his laundromat in about two weeks but said his store front looks like a constructions site.
“We’re trying to open and people still think it is still being built, so how do we advertise unless we spend big bucks on social media telling people to come round the back?“ he said.
“It’s not presentable, we do laundry here and who is going to walk through mud?“
A few shops are estimated to open in coming weeks.
