Stockland told: Clean up ‘ghetto’

AN Aitkenvale property owner has called on property giant Stockland to make improvements to its holdings around the Stockland shopping centre, saying its inaction is helping to transform the area into a ghetto.

Bruce Kingsun was commenting on the Kingsvale and Sunvale properties fronting the prime commercial strip on Ross River Rd which are vacant and boarded up.

The area has attracted vagrants, and police with dogs patrol around the properties at night.

“I think it’s a disgrace the way they have let those buildings run down. They should be painted and look presentable,” Mr Kingsun said.

“It’s turning that area Aitkenvale into a ghetto.”

Mr Kingsun said security also needed to be improved during the day.

Stockland has said it is reviewing plans for land holdings adjacent to the shopping centre, including Kingsvale and Sunvale, after proposing a $50 million entertainment and leisure precinct in 2014.

Its development application for the precinct lapsed last year.

A Stockland spokeswoman said last week they had been undertaking a “comprehensive review” of plans for the land holdings and a series of development opportunities in Townsville.

“We’re currently working through a number of options that focus on experiential offerings and are taking the time to ensure we have a proposal that best meets community needs and desires,” the spokeswoman said.

While Stockland has announced a retail centre strategy that includes divesting “non-core” properties, the company declined to comment on whether its Aitkenvale assets, jointly owned with AMP, would be put up for sale.

“We don’t comment on speculation or specific assets but continue to assess the market and our portfolio in line with our strategy,” a Stockland spokeswoman said. of