Bendigo Weekly 1056

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BendigoWeekly www.bendigoweekly.com.au

ISSUE 1056 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2018

The colours of culture AN exhibition showcasing the talents of the many indigenous and multicultural artists in central Victoria has opened at Dudley House. Chrysalis explores the many and varied works put together by artists such as Michellie Charvat (pictured). – Story Page 19

MALL MOVE Photo: ANDREW PERRYMAN

By SHARON KEMP

OFFICEWORKS will leave a major hole in Hargreaves Mall when it relocates to the edge of the central business district later this year. The Bendigo Weekly can reveal the Wesfarmers-owned stationery retailer is moving to the former AAPT call centre site in Mollison Street. The move will leave a significant hole in the mall, already battling a high number of vacancies, and comes as the City of Greater Bendigo this week released a draft plan to re-

■Traders

Key tenant to relocate in CBD shift

vitalise the mall, including building new toilets and decommissioning those already operational in two central obelisks. The bus stop at the Mitchell Street or southern end of the mall would also eventually be repurposed into food and beverage outlets, and the council wants to build a largescale shade structure. The plan was presented to a

committee of stakeholders including traders and landlords, who have been meeting regularly for more than a year. Not yet financed, the suggestions comprise the council’s contribution to lifting the appearance and amenity of the mall and attracting more visitors., but it needs traders and landlords to contribute to the process.

offered a different view – Page 3

For traders, the draft plan calls for staff and small business development training, while council wants council wants building owners to consider restoring heritage facades. Specifically for Myer, which is the anchor store of the mall, the plan calls for council to support a rejuvenation of the company’s retail space. Council also wants greater input into which retailers open in the mall,

and will develop a retail precinct plan and investment prospectus. “We are putting together a plan and we need a partnership approach to turn these ideas into reality,” mayor Margaret O’Rourke said. “There are lots of really positive things happening in our city centre, such as our laneway precinct, some new food businesses establishing themselves and activities that have become a regular feature in the heart of our city such as the Moonlight Market.

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48-page Property Guide inside


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