The City of Mandurah council has given the green light to two-way traffic along the foreshore between Smart Street and Tuckey Street.
However, many business and land owners say the change will impact them negatively.
In December, councillors - except for Ryan Burns and Peter Rogers - endorsed changes to the road network which will see Mandurah Terrace connected to Sutton Street via Tuckey Street and Barracks Lane, creating a loop for traffic.
The two-way street on Mandurah Terrace will also have a formal one-way connection from Smart Street through to Barracks Lane.
DPM Cafe, Love to Be clothing, and landowners David Tuckey and Alison Symington spoke to the Mail about the changes to the roadwork.
The proposed modification would result in a loss of some public bays on Mandurah Terrace.
DPM Cafe owner Cheryl De Vasconcellos said she was happy with the roads to be changed to allow two-way traffic but didn't want carparks to be taken away.
"I do feel the removal of car parking spaces will have a huge impact on my business and I'm sure other businesses along that stretch of the foreshore," she said.
"I also have concerns for the shared areas which will allow cars as well as pedestrians in the same space."
Love to Be owner Karen Bruzzese held a similar sentiment.
"I don't want to lose any of the parking spaces behind our shop because that is incurring on me and my staff - as it is we only have two bays for four staff," she said.
"All the other changes will be great for Mandurah but losing parking bays isn't a possibility for us."
According to a council report, two-way traffic would make it easier for pedestrians and traffic to access the city centre and improve traffic flow in the area.
Tuckey Property Group owner David Tuckey claims the opposite would happen.
"The argument that more roads creates less traffic problems is sheer madness, another lane will just create another barrier to what is meant to be the jewel in the crown of Mandurah - the foreshore redevelopment and the pool area - and just congest Brighton Lane," he said.
"What is right for the location is leaving Mandurah Terrace one way to Tuckey Street. We overwhelmingly believe that the ratepayers of Mandurah and visitors walking in the area want the status quo to remain and the mall upgrade finished as it was planned to be done."
The plan to change the road network comes following a $13 million proposal from Silverleaf Investments for Quest apartments, a restaurant and bar, offices, and commercial retail.
If approved it will be situated along Mandurah Terrace and Smart Street Mall.
"The proposed development application has prompted the City to bring forward the City Centre Master Plan, and has incited discussions and planning for changes to the road network in that area," a City spokesperson said.
"Both the City Centre Master Plan and the changes to the road network will help to guide and shape the future growth and transformation of the City Centre."
Mr Tuckey said he was pro-development but the council meeting was hastily arranged so the development application could go ahead. Alison Symington said she agreed.
"We are not against the proposal for the development at all, it's just the consideration of the city that's wanting to change the whole structure seemingly for one development proposal," she said.
"The city should look at reviewing its parking concepts rather than just changing the direction of the road again."
According to a City spokesperson, before the council endorsed the road network changes consultation was undertaken with key landowners and businesses along Mandurah Terrace and Smart Street.
Extensive community and business engagement and further communication will be conducted relating to the detailed design and delivery, and as part of the broader City Centre Master Plan and Parking Plan projects.
Detailed design, costings, and delivery will continue with a broader City Centre Master Plan and a parking plan to be presented for council consideration within the next 12 months.
