Tag: Mirvac

Tenants Still Hoping to Meet With Mirvac Over Planned Demolition of Toombul Shopping Centre

Tenants of Toombul Shopping Centre have expressed disappointment at the cancellation of a requested meeting with Mirvac to discuss previously announced plans to demolish the shopping centre.

Read: Toombul Shopping Centre Could Take Up to 8 Months Before It Could Reopen

The meeting was originally scheduled to take place via Zoom on 7 June 2022. However, not all the Mirvac attendees were available so the meeting did not push through as originally planned

In a statement, MP Leanne Linnard said that she and MP Anika Wells will keep trying to engage with Mirvac for the tenants, who were told that they will not likely receive compensation for losses as a result of the February 2022flood that has rendered the shopping centre too badly damaged. 

They have also arranged for the tenants to receive pro bono legal advice on compensation from Brian Noble of Noble Advice. So far, 10 retailers have reached out to discuss the  Retail Shop Leases Act. 

Prior to the scheduled meeting, Cr Adam Allan stated that Mirvac has decided to completely demolish Toombul Shopping Centre.

“I met with Mirvac executives last week to have an initial discussion about their plans. There will be many discussions between Council’s Development Services team and Mirvac over coming months as their plans for the site are formulated,” Mr Allan said. 

“The site is zoned Major Centre zoning under the Brisbane City Plan 2014.

“This type of zoning provides for a wide range of uses including retail, commercial, residential, entertainment, government, residential care, retirement, and community uses to name some.

“While Mirvac are only in the early stages of their planning on the future of the site the uses above provide a high level guide of some potential uses.”

No Rent Collection

Meanwhile, Mirvac said that rents and other expenses were not collected from the traders since the February flood and their debts, including those incurred during the COVID closures, have been waived. The company has also not charged retailers for the cost to de-fit and remove their stocks and store equipment and furniture. 

Mirvac also said it has been coordinating with each of the retailers on the ongoing issues at hand. 

Read: Electrical Issues Delay Bus Interchange Normal Operations at the Toombul Shopping Centre

Some tenants have relocated to other vacant sites in Ascot, Taigum, Stafford, Lutwyche, and Newstead. However, for many locals, Toombul was always the hub where everyone could shop and run errands and where the retailers have become longtime friends. 

Toombul Shopping Centre Could Take Up to 8 Months Before It Could Reopen

Photo Credit: Leanne Linard MP / Facebook

Initial assessments of the devastation that the recent flooding has caused at Toombul Shopping Centre revealed that many of the 140 shops could remain closed for six to eight months and the cost of rebuilding may force some tenants to close permanently.

Read: Active Truth in Nundah Launches Wonder Woman Collection; Sends Relief Package to Flood Victims

“We can confirm the centre and car park are closed and will remain this way for some time. Our specialist consultants have assessed the damage and the initial assessments show that the inundation has caused extensive damage,” the Mirvac statement posted on social media reads.

“This is the worst flood we have seen at Toombul and the impact is devastating, not only for us, but for all our retailers, many of whom are small business owners. Our priority is working with and supporting all our retailers.”

Toombul Shopping Centre
Photo Credit: Leanne Linard MP / Facebook

The rain bomb that battered the city for days has hit Toombul Shopping Centre hard, leaving dozens of shops with mud-ruined equipment and stocks. Toombul retailers say that the recent inundation was different from the 2011 flood in that it is the first time that flood water has penetrated the shopping centre’s ground-floor shops.

Toombul Shopping Centre
Photo Credit: Loving Nundah / Facebook

Mirvac said that it is too early to ascertain when the centre could reopen but estimates a 24- to 32-week window. However, many small retailers fear that they may not be able to afford the cost of rebuilding considering the extent of damage which could mean that they would need to start from scratch. 

Toombul Shopping Centre
Photo Credit: Leanne Linard MP / Facebook

Some of these tenants do not have insurance either because of the cost or because no insurer was willing to cover flood risk. Other store owners who do have insurance fear that their insurers might classify the event as a flood, making them unqualified to claim for storm damage.

Read: Happening Soon! Banyo Railway Station Upgrades

For now, some traders have reopened on temporary premises whilst major shops had employees deployed to other locations. But the closure of the Toombul Shopping Centre not only impacted shop owners but their loyal customers as well who are now forced to shop elsewhere.

Toombul Shopping Centre
Photo Credit: Loving Nundah / Facebook

To mitigate the impact on Toombul Shopping Centre customers, particularly the elderly shoppers, Council’s cab services have been adjusted to provide other destination options including Westfield Chermside and Lutwyche Shopping Centre. Customers will be advised of the available alternative at the time of booking.

Toombul Shopping Centre was opened in 1967 by Westfield Group and was Brisbane northside’s largest shopping centre then. Mirvac acquired the centre in 2016 and opened Upstairs Toombul, a new dining precinct anchored by Archie Brothers.