Dunne queries lack of progress on Jville shopping centre redevelopment
20 May 2010

Ohariu MP Peter Dunne is asking questions about when the Johnsonville Shopping Centre is to be redeveloped.

He says that although resource consents were granted to the DNZ Property Group for the redevelopment and the Wellington City Council for associated road network improvements in September last year, there is still uncertainty as to when the work will begin.

“Many local residents have been asking me what is happening, and I have been asking questions of DNZ Property Group about the timetable for redevelopment.

“Paul Duffy of DNZ Property Group has advised me that the DNZ Board will review the timetable for the Johnsonville redevelopment once its current review of its capital structure is completed.

“Paul Duffy has also told me that timing of the go-ahead for Johnsonville will also depend the market stabilising and a high level of sustainable confidence returning following the global financial crisis.

“On that basis, he advised me that DNZ Property Group will look again at its development programme, including the Johnsonville timetable, in late 2010, early 2011,” he says.

Mr Dunne says he hopes that review will lead to an early go-ahead decision for the Johnsonville redevelopment.

“Johnsonville is sitting in a holding pattern until such time as the redevelopment gets underway, and I am as keen as anybody to see that happen as soon as possible” he says.

Mr Dunne says that, in the meantime, he has approached Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast regarding the timing of the associated road network improvements.

“Whatever happens to the mall redevelopment, these improvements have to go ahead, because traffic volumes are already beyond the existing roadway’s capacity,” he says.

Ends

Mark Stewart | Press Secretary | Office of Hon Peter Dunne
DDI +64 4 817 6985 | Mb +64 21 243 6985 |
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