Property developer Paul Blackburne has bought the Ocean Village Shopping Centre in City Beach from collapsed building giant Pindan.

The ageing centre has long been at the centre of development rumours, and locals have clamoured for it be redeveloped.

Mr Blackburne recently became the sole director of Ocean Village Shopping Centre Pty Ltd, the company that owns the Kilpa Court complex.

Blackburne Group development manager Matthew Chau said the company was still considering options for the site’s future.

“We believe that our local expertise will help deliver something truly special,” he said.

“The previous owners undertook significant community consultation, and the feedback was that the community wanted an active neighbourhood centre with a range of shops and hospitality.”

Pindan bought the centre from businessman Tom Galopoulos for $12.5million in 2016.

In 2018 it asked shoppers to fill out surveys about an apartment development.

Pindan collapsed in May last year, owing about $80million.

In 2020, City Beach Fish Bar owner Kevin Trinh said the centre was going “downhill” while redevelopment plans were stalled, (Stalled plans hurting traders, POST, March 7, 2020).