Opinion / Reader Voices
‘The people deserve better’: readers have their say on Union Square
Backing for a council-led revamp of shopping centre
Brunswick Voice
AFTER Merri-bek Deputy Mayor Lambros Tapinos recently called for a new vision for Union Square shopping centre in Grantham Street, we threw it over to our readers to share their views.
We were overwhelmed with the response after more than 60 readers took the time to provide a comment on the story. Following is a sample of the comments we received (some of the responses have been edited for clarity or to fix grammatical errors and we have only published comments from people who gave their permission for their name to be used).
Opinions from the majority of Brunswick Voice readers strongly agree with Tapinos that the shopping centre is tired and neglected, and it needs a council-led revamp.
“Union square is in need for a revamp desperately,” said Sophie Handris of Brunswick West. “It hasn’t had a renovation and is prehistoric and a disgrace to Brunswick residents who pay high rates to live in this area. Outdated, dumpy, unhygienic and dirty: no wonder shoppers are put off going there. lt needs a new transformation to bring the local community back.”
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Another to back Tapinos’ call for change was Xavier Duff of Brunswick West.
“I think at the very least the ‘square of despair’ needs gutting and a complete renovation from top to bottom but I feel though nothing will happen without a change of ownership.
“The current owners appear to not have the slightest interest in spending a cent on the centre or even having tenants – as evidenced by the bakery and butchers which have been empty for up to three years … There is a tremendous opportunity for someone to undertake a major redevelopment of the site with more commercial space opened up for quality retail (not vape shops), a cafe, plus some residential development and quality public open space.
“Everyone should get behind Councillor Tapinos’ efforts to transform this eyesore. West Brunswick residents deserve better.”
Janet Maruzza, who has lived in Brunswick for three decades and regularly shops at Union Square, agreed.
“It’s in dire need of an update, as [when] I was there yesterday the bins were overflowing with garbage strewn on the floor,” she said.
“The original butchers and many others have closed. The baker, the Indian takeaway shop has gone. I have heard of attacks in the toilets which I’ve never attempted to go to. I shop there regularly, and makes me angry as there are many elderly that access this shopping strip … Please Merri-bek Council, help us residents update this disgusting ‘70s building. There’s great scope to add further business and add apartment complexes above the shops.”
The poor state of the toilet facilities were a common theme.
“You would not send your worst enemy to the Union Square toilets,” said Caz Garvey. “There is bugger-all bike parking. Given the increasing population of the area, it could be a gold mine if it was a decent and safe place to visit and there were nice shops there.”
Roberta Shaw of Brunswick West described being trapped in a female cubicle in the darkness for 20 minutes after the sensor-operated light turned off.
“I was screaming for help,” she said. “I was so distressed. Eventually two Coles staff rescued me. They applied mental health first aid. I am still suffering from the experience.”
Nicole Moore of Brunswick said Union Square would benefit from more open natural space:
“Maintain the best of inner city shopping by bringing it outdoors. Shopping malls are for the suburbs. More trees please!”
Julie Purdey of Brunswick North had a similar view.
“The Grantham St carpark is handy but could be relocated to the rear of the complex and the area turned into a paved plaza with mature trees for shade and seating and a toddler playground,” she said. “This would encourage cafes such as exist close by in other parts of the neighbourhood but not really Grantham Street.”
Several readers were in favour of residential development on the site.
“It is way past due time for this shopping centre to be renewed and a high rise placed above to facilitate decreasing urban sprawl and fix the housing crisis,” said Lisa and Bella Taranto of Brunswick South. “It is an amazing, peaceful, community orientated, friendly place to live with great transportation advantages. We need to give many other families to enjoy a work life balance in this area which is perfectly positioned to drive on the freeway or catch the tram to work.”
In a similar vein was Beatriz Dieguez-Arias of Brunswick West:
“Obviously it needs to be renovated in many aspects, starting by the public facilities: toilets are a disgrace, there is general lack of lighting natural or otherwise and the vacancy of the bakery and butcher shops was a great impact to the place. I don’t mind if apartments are built on top of the shops respecting the height limits and offering accommodation for low income residents.”
Deliana Iacoban of Brunswick West said a lack of bicycle facilities was a disincentive to visit Union Square.
“I ride there and there’s a single bike parking spot at the back of the shops,” they said. “There’s often multiple bikes and we have to tie them against the trolley storage space, while most of the car park is empty at any given time. At least a couple of car parking spaces could be converted to have multiple bike parking spots. This would also encourage cycling instead of driving small distances.”
James Horton compared the problems at Union Square to East Brunswick Village, which he said had benefitted from having decisive ownership that had developed a good mix of commercial tenants.
Read more:
Call for a fresh vision for ‘square of despair’
But despite its flaws, the Union Square shopping centre also has its defenders.
“Don’t touch it,” said Melanie Lazarow of Brunswick. “It is lovely to have a shopping centre that generally has a lot of individuality shops not owned by big chains and a real local feel. Leave it alone.”
Those sentiments were echoed by Maree Motamedi, who has lived in Brunswick for 37 years.
“All the centre needs is TLC,” they said. “A facelift indeed. The council should be looking at renovating the centre and keeping the concept and the shop owners, lessees the same. It’s your one stop shop for all you need.”
And Alan Griffiths of Brunswick said: “I love it the way it is. It reminds me of an almost bygone era where good food had decent discounts more fitting to a poorer suburb, it’s not renovated into a shmick, slick and aloof complex and the staff I have encountered there seem genuinely friendlier than other places. Please don’t yuppify it.”
But, reflecting the views of many other readers who want change, the last word belongs to Mez Farrelly of Brunswick West:
“There’s a lot more people living here now and a major renovation is necessary. It’s such a dump and so unappealing. The people deserve better. Build it and they will come!”
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