‘Like a comedy skit’: Evicted Toombul tenant reacts to Mirvac statement
A business owner evicted from Toombul Shopping Centre has reacted to the latest response from the site’s owner.
Mirvac yesterday released a statement responding to criticism over its handling of the closure of the centre, which Neil Breen said was more like “a comedy skit” (see the full statement below).
“Mirvac has not charged rent or any other costs since the flood,” a spokesperson for the company wrote.
Former Nextra owner Shane Griffin couldn’t believe the ‘temerity’.
“Yeah no, that was very, very kind of them not to charge us rent while we were locked out,” he told Neil Breen
“Meanwhile, they were cancelling our leases.”
Press PLAY below to hear Shane Griffin’s reaction in full
A Mirvac spokesperson has provided the following statement:
“Toombul Shopping Centre experienced severe damage following the extreme weather and associated flooding in February 2022. The Centre had never been inundated with water to this extent and the damage was far reaching and extensive. The Centre’s electricity, fire and air-conditioning systems, lifts and escalators were all significantly damaged. The decision to close the Centre was made after careful consideration given the extent of the damage, the risk of future flooding, and to provide certainty for our retail partners.
“This heartbreaking decision to close Toombul was not taken lightly. The entire Mirvac team are devastated for our retail partners – many of whom are small business owners – their staff and families as well as for the local community who visited the Centre over many decades.
“This has been a very challenging time for all of our retailers. Mirvac has spent significant time communicating with all retailers and local representatives, with numerous individual conversations and in-person discussions and site visits/access provided in line with safety requirements. Mirvac has also provided retailers with additional support including:
• Mirvac has not charged rent or any other costs since the flood
• Mirvac has waived any debts incurred during Covid and up until the flood
• Mirvac is undertaking the de-fit of tenancies in the centre – at no cost to retailers – and has worked closely with each retailer regarding the removal of their fit-out and stock
• Mirvac continues to promote the new locations of our retailers actively across our channels, and for those retailers who are looking for new locations, we have connected them with an organisation who can provide this assistance.
“We continue to meet with our retailers and we will be meeting again with a number of our retailers face to face, in the coming weeks.
“As in all shopping centres, the extent of individual insurance cover is a matter for each tenant, and Mirvac is not privy to individual tenant’s insurance policy cover, and it has been devasting to learn that many retailers did not have adequate insurance.
“Mirvac remains committed to ongoing discussions with Ms Linard and Ms Wells, and unfortunately due to illness in our team, we were unable to travel and have asked to reschedule this meeting.
“While there has been much speculation on the future plans for the site, no decision has been made. We are now assessing the future of the site, which will include retail services for the local community.
The closure to the Centre also impacted the Toombul Bus Interchange and we were pleased to be able to work closely with Brisbane City Council to safely reopen this important service for the community.”
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