Work on Grazeland continues amid coronavirus crisis

An image of the planned Grazeland food precinct at Spotswood. Image: Supplied

Goya Dmytryshchak

The planned Grazeland food precinct at Spotswood is “in a holding pattern” because of coronavirus gathering bans – but the man behind the food precinct says it’s lucky it hadn’t already opened.

Catering for 30,000 people a week, the precinct is set to be chiefly open air but with extensive covered areas.

Grazeland was set to open this month, trading Friday nights and over the weekend, but had been held up for separate reasons.

Managing director John Forman said construction was continuing this week on the 10,000 square metre site next to Scienceworks, in preparation for opening.

“Unfortunate times but it could have been a lot worse – we could have opened,” he said.

“We’ll be ready when the ban is lifted, effectively.

“We’re still positive that we’ll get through the other side.

“We are continuing to build – we haven’t slowed – and we have confidence, and our traders are confident and they’re continuing to build.

“Our vendors and the public are paramount – they’re our No. 1 priority – so we won’t put anything at risk.”

Grazeland is set to have more than 50 sweet and savoury food outlets, three licensed bars, two stage areas, roving entertainers and live entertainment.

“We have to respect the advice from the federal Commonwealth government in relation to restrictions on trade and subsequent maximum numbers,” Mr Forman said.

“So, we just have to wait but our instructions to all our vendors is to continue to fit out.

“As we speak, we’ve got multiple traders onsite fitting out their containers and within a week all our roof structures will be completed.”