At last Monday's Cardinia Council meeting, Cr George Blenkhorn requested an in-house review of the commercial precinct which he hoped would reinforce his push for a pedestrian mall joining parts of Main and John streets.

Councillors voted unanimously to conduct the review which would also look at parking and retaining green space.

Cr Blenkhorn said the area's framework was outdated and needed to be reassessed. He said a mall would become a much-needed focal point in the area. "It would be an area (without cars) right in the middle of Pakenham for shoppers and restaurants."

A parking shortage in the shopping district would also be on the agenda.

Cr Blenkhorn said that during his election campaign the most common complaint from residents was related to parking. "At the moment people are just driving round and round praying for a space."

The review is expected to be completed by April.