Forum works on time

The works, that would see the Mandurah Forum double in size, started earlier this year and are scheduled to be fully completed early 2018.

“Works are going fast enough for me not to worry,” Mr Fudge said.

The new shopping centre would include 26,000 sqm of retail space, more than 220 specialty stores, and big brands such as David Jones, Target, Big W, Kmart, Woolworths and Coles trading on site.

In order to minimise disruption for both shoppers and traders, the redevelopment has been organised in four stages, and the centre will remain open until the works are finished in 2018, despite certain areas being closed at times.

The new shopping centre, has been designed taking into account consultation with both Mandurah residents and the local council.

Mr Fudge said the new design aims at addressing issues affecting the old Forum such as unsafe and narrow carparks and a difficult to navigate internal layout.

The new shopping centre would be organised in an oval shape, rather than separate wings, and would only preserve 20 per cent of the old facility. 

“We just said ‘what if we are a bit brave and see it as an opportunity?’,” Mr Fudge said.

The vast majority of the roof in the new centre would become a carpark, with ramp access from all four sides of the building. 

It would also have four different access ways into the shopping centre, that would land in communal areas such as the fresh food market, the food court, the casual dining area, and the David Jones retail area.

The new food court would also be designed to accommodate small dine in venues, but also traditional take away shops with a central sitting area.

A specially designed area would be designed to suit families eating at the food court, and two different play areas suited for different age groups would be set up. 

The centre’s redevelopment had been on the cards for 20 years, but planning for the $350 million transformation started in 2014.