By XAVIER SMERDON
THE long-awaited redevelopment of Werribee Plaza could be delayed up to another four years.
The two-stage touch up has been on the cards since 2009 and could cost up to $500 million.
Stage one of the plans was intended to expand the plaza from 70,000 square meters to 100,000 square meters and was expected to be completed in time for Christmas this year.
Stage two would add a further 40,000 square meters, would focus on the western corner of the site and was flagged for completion in 2016.
But Werribee Plaza owner, Pacific Shopping Centres, said that the first stage of the redevelopment had not even commenced yet.
A spokesperson for Pacific Shopping Centres said the plans had needed modifying.
“The proposed plans are being slightly modified to provide a number of improvements to the retail layout,” the spokesperson said.
“Many of the key elements (including a new Myer, Tavern, Bingo and Library) will still feature in the redeveloped proposal.”
Star was told by a Pacific Shopping Centres spokesperson that a completion date for the project, which was thought to be able to create more than 1200 new retail jobs, could not be supplied.
“The overall size of the project will not vary significantly and the number of shops proposed is expected to remain the same,” the spokesperson said.
“Discussions with council have commenced and we expect to lodge revised plans very shortly. There is a desire to commence development in the foreseeable future.”
Elderly Werribee resident Margaret Quinn, who regularly visits the plaza, said she felt the redevelopment should happen sooner rather than later.
“They’ve been saying it will happen for too long now and to be honest I think people are just getting a little bit sick of waiting,” Mrs Quinn said.
“At this rate I doubt I will be around to see the finished product.”
