Maude St Mall businesses have to wait a little longer for the second stage of the mall redevelopment to be completed, after supply chain shortages delayed the project.
Originally due to be completed in July, stage two works involve the reconstruction of the mall from Fryers St to Fraser St to include a one-way road.
But Greater Shepparton City Council director of infrastructure Gary Randhawa said the opening was postponed while the developer waited for the delivery of catenary poles to carry light fixtures.
“The contractors are focused on completing other aspects of the project to minimise impacts to the delivery timeline,” he said.
“Council is working closely with the contractors to determine the completion date for stage two and hope to have a confirmed date in the coming weeks.”
Disgruntled Maude St venue The Deck took to social media on Monday, August 1 to express disappointment at the delay.
The venue said while it was looking forward to the end result, its business capacity had been significantly impacted by the ongoing works.
“To have to shift and adapt with this project after lockdown, we really feel deeply saddened and disappointed not only for our business and customers, but also for our friends in the Maude St Mall traders family,” the Facebook post read.
“We'll continue to open from Wednesday to Sunday for now until we can get back on our feet and open back up six to seven days a week once the project finishes.”
Intersport owner and manager Gary ‘Nipper’ Harvey said he was notified on Wednesday, July 27.
He said while the delay was not ideal, businesses just had to get on with it.
“If all things come to fruition we should be taking that wall down about the first or second week of September,” he said.
“Not ideal, but it’s out of our control unfortunately, and out of their control.”
Council is yet to release the official completion date for stage two works.
While the construction has been hard on his business, Mr Harvey said locals had been a great support.
“They’re supporting us as much as they can and so now more than ever, we just need them to come back into the mall,” he said.
“It’s a little hard and a little disruptive but we just want the locals to keep shopping local.”
Shepparton Chamber of Commerce president John Anderson said the impacts of the works had not been measured.
“People I spoke to last week said it’s become a destination shopping area, so it’s lost that impulsive shopping,” he said.
“Trade is down.”
The poles are expected to be delivered at the end of August, but Mr Anderson said if this did not eventuate, council should organise a “plan B” to open the first half of the mall without them.
“It’s the last thing the contractors want, the last thing council wants and the last thing traders want,” he said.
“But that would get us through the Christmas trading period.”
Council thanked businesses for their patience while the project was under way.