The rejected location of the Woolworths supermarket outlined in red
Gosford Council has resolved not to support the preparation of a planning proposal for the development of a commercial supermarket on the corner of Avoca Dr and Davistown Rd, Green Point/Yattalunga.
The proposal included a Woolworths supermarket and small retail shops with a total floor area in excess of 6,800m2. The site is zoned 7(a) Conservation and Scenic Protection and 7(c2) Conservation and Scenic Protection and would have to be rezoned in order to allow a development such as this. The applicant stated that “the planning proposal has been prepared with the intention of expanding the range of retail services and employment opportunities available to the population of the area”. “The rezoning and future development would have a net community benefit due to the economic and social benefits. “By providing a facility of this nature in this location, the current and predicted shortfalls in retail floor space are able to be partially addressed while also providing a sense of place and community for the local population. “In addition, the current and projected shortfall in GP facilities for the population will be able to be partially addressed, as will the reduction in speciality retail floor space within Kincumber following the extension of the Coles Supermarket,” stated the applicant’s submission. In what was a divided resolution, council decided that the proposal was inconsistent with the overall directions of the Central Coast Regional Strategy. Councillors Deanna Bocking, Hillary Morris, Vicki Scott and Jeff Strickson voted that the proposal would not be appropriate, while Crs Bob Ward, Gabby Bowles and Chris Burke thought a planning proposal should at least be prepared. Cr Bocking said she was not anti-development, but “7(a) is Scenic Protection, so for me it is wrong to zone away from that,” she said. Cr Morris said she didn’t think the site had “any merit for commercial development at all”. While Cr Bowles said she thought it would be fair to allow the proposal to go to the next stage”. “I think when it comes to a planning proposal, it is fair enough to pass it on to the next level,” said Cr Bowles.
Gosford Council Agenda
GOV.57, 9 Sep 2014
Kaitlin Watts, 9 Sep 2014