By Brendan Rees
Casey Council has unveiled plans to refurbish the dilapidated Webb Street shopping precinct in Narre Warren.
Council officers have visited every business about a shopfront improvement program which aims to enhance the attractiveness of Narre Warren Village.
Better signage, well presented window displays, shopfront upgrades, and assisting businesses to develop a “strong clear identity” has been proposed.
Rahmatullah Gangi, store owner of A.R Afghan Supermarket and Halal butcher on Webb Street, supported the revitalisation program but said the “biggest issue” was traffic banking up at the level crossing.
“When it is peak hour it’s crazy,” he said. “That’s affected business.”
Mr Gangi added the footpaths were “not too bad but it’s a little bit old and dirty.”
Ali Sari, manager Narre Warren Mixed Deli, said the upgrades was a “good idea,” but echoed Mr Gangi’s frustrations, saying more car parking was needed as well as improved street lighting.
“We’ve got 25 to 30 car parks. Most of the time people just park their car here and jump on the train,” he said.
Australian Sports Nutrition manager Matt Hagan said “everything looks pretty old” on Webb Street, adding street lighting was a concern.
“There’s a couple of dark spots; probably wouldn’t make people feel safe,” he said.
A council document said all business owners in Webb Street were prepared to work with council.
“At this stage none have given any commitment to invest in changes and improvements as the implications for each business in terms of recommendations and cost for each business are not yet known,” it said.
Councillor Sam Aziz said the revitalisation program was an exciting opportunity to create a “new CBD in the heart of the City of Casey.”
“It will be a great opportunity for us to completely revamp Webb Street and ensure that it starts to attract jobs and starts to attract investment,” he said.
“The entire area is quite dilapidated and it’s not really an attractive area.
“We want to change that and we want to improve the opportunities for small business,” he added.
Council will hire a visual merchandising specialist over 12 weeks to conduct a visual site audit and assessment of the shopfront presentation.
La Trobe MP Jason Wood this week pledged to provide 500 car park spaces at Narre Warren train station if re-elected at the May 18 Federal Election.
