Centre redevelopment on the cards

Albany’s Brooks Garden shopping centre has been bought for $20 million by a Perth property firm that plans to redevelop the site.

M/Group purchased the Chester Pass Road centre, which opened in 2006, in December.

It is home to a Woolworths supermarket, several small shops and exterior buildings, including the popular Tumblejam and Great Southern Supplies.

The 12,200sqm centre comes with 2.7ha of undeveloped land, adjacent to the nearby Harvey Norman store.

M/Group is a Perth-based property and investment company operating for 15 years — Brooks Garden is the first big shopping centre in its portfolio.

Managing director Lloyd Clark said refurbishment plans were in progress.

“We see a great deal of untapped potential in the centre,” he said.

“In the coming weeks the community can expect to see some immediate changes with plans to give the building a bit of a facelift.”

Short-term plans include repainting the centre, a revamped car park, improved signs and maintenance.

“Longer term, however, our goal is to unlock the centre’s redevelopment potential and create a truly local destination shopping centre,” Mr Clark said.

“This means a significant investment in improving the environment and extended benefits for (Albany).”

He said the company would liaise closely with shoppers and tenants.

“Our immediate focus is to engage with locals and tenants to gain a better understanding of what they want for their centre,” Mr Clark said.

“We really want to give the Albany Brooks Garden Shopping Centre a fresh start and we know this can only be done in collaboration with tenants and the community.”