The cost has blown out from $1 million to $3 million but a Liverpool Council determined to unlock the town’s potential has given the green light to plans to transform the Macquarie Mall.
In an historic night, it also approved in principle plans for a 28 storey tower at the southern end of the Mall containing retail, office, serviced apartments and residential flats.
Councillors voted 6-4 in favour of the Mall revitalisation plans.
The four Labor Party councillors opposed the plans when put to the vote at last night’s meeting.
Former mayor Wendy Waller expressed concerns about the cost, saying “we need to be very careful when we spend our money’’.
But the mayor, Cr Ned Mannoun, said that the money would be coming out of the Town Improvement Fund, which is a levy on CBD businesses.
“It’s paid for, the money is already there and it’s local business who are paying for it, and who will benefit from it,’’ he said.
Asked why the cost had blown out to $3 million, council CEO Carl Wulff said the original estimate was made before the design stage.
“Once we got to the design stage we could get realistic costings,’’ he said.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“But basically the cost is to do with trying to create a Mall that’s as good as you’d get in Sydney or Melbourne.[/social_quote]
“We are using Australian granite for instance, which is more expensive than the current pavers at the Mall, but which will last a lot longer, up to 50 years,’’ Mr Wulff said.
Expensive technological infrastructure such as wi-fi and special lighting also contributed to the high cost of the new Mall.
Work on the makeover of Macquarie Mall will get under way by September and will commence at the Elizabeth Street end of the mall.
It will be delivered in a series of stages through to Moore Street, with work shutting down over the Christmas period to minimise disruption to businesses during this high trading period.
The revitalisation work will mean:
• high quality paving, street furniture and outdoor dining;
· overhead feature lighting;
· a water play space and improve the children’s play area;
· retaining the chess set and install an outdoor TV screen;
· declutter and improve sight lines, including the removal of the fountain and relocation of the war memorial;
· create a one-way 10km/h shared zone at night to stimulate the night-time economy.
Councillor Tony Hadchiti last night said before the vote was taken: “It’s time council put its money where its mouth is.’’
Deputy mayor Gus Balloot added: “This is about giving our retailers a fair go, a chance to do well.’’
A number of Mall retailers addressed the council at the start of the meeting, urging councillors to support the proposal.
In a statement issued this morning, Cr Mannoun said Liverpool will get a “vibrant mall alive with people, jobs and activity which will define the city’s heart and its future as the capital of the Great South West.
“It’s great news that the disused site at the corner of Macquarie Mall and Elizabeth Street (opposite the RSL) has begun its journey towards renewal.
“This supports our vision for a mixed use CBD and will activate a space that has huge potential.
“Last week council officers also approved a $19 million new development for an eight storey office tower at 100 Macquarie Street, on the corner of Elizabeth Street.
“This new commercial office tower will bring jobs into the heart of our city.
“We ask residents and visitors to the mall to be patient – delivering a project of this size has its challenges and council will ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum.
“The mall will still be open and so will the shops, so you will still be able to get around. Please continue to support our local businesses over the construction period.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“The revitalisation of Macquarie Mall is one of five major building projects which will prepare our city for the future population which will more than double in the next 20 years.[/social_quote]
“As the regional capital of the Great South West, we aim to create a city centre which provides jobs, as well as a vibrant centre for entertainment and shopping, so that residents will find everything they need to live, work and play, right here in the heart of Liverpool,” Cr Mannoun said.
