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New shopping complex planned

Posted on October 31, 2008, 6:06am and updated on October 31, 2008 at 7:43 pm

The planning process for the proposed multi-million-dollar new shopping complex on the northern gateway into Mount Gambier has taken a major step forward, following the State Government lifting the development freeze on the city’s outskirts.

The planning approval process for the huge retail complex — expected to be about 15,000sq metres — is now officially under way, following the shopping centre proposal fitting into the Greater Mount Gambier Master Plan.

It is understood the development will include a new Woolworths supermarket, a Big W and other retail outlets and speciality stores.

The Greater Mount Gambier Deferred Urban (Northern Gateway) DPA was approved by the Minister for Urban Development and Planning Paul Holloway on October 16.

The shopping centre is one of two planned for the city’s outskirts, with a downsized shopping centre mooted for the western gateway within the Grant District Council boundary.

Mount Gambier City Council announced late last week that the public consultation to rezone land for the Penola Road District Centre has begun and will run until December 19.

Council operational services director Daryl Sexton said council had prepared a Development Plan Amendment (DPA) to amend its development plan to address site specific and development issues.

“The process is under way to rezone the deferred urban zone for a district centre to allow retail on that land,” Mr Sexton said.

He said the process had been “held up” because of the Greater Mount Gambier Master Plan which was now completed.

Mr Sexton said council planned to hold a public meeting early next year to hear submissions, before it met to make a formal decision.

Under the rezoning plan, land will be rezoned to a District Centre Zone, while land — which contains the Kalganyi Caravan Park — will be altered from deferred urban to a caravan and tourist park zone.

He said the proposed development would be a “big investment” for the city.

Meanwhile, Grant District Council planning and development director Leith McEvoy said the proposed smaller shopping centre on Jubilee Highway West would now be no greater than 2500sq metres, following the finalistion of the Greater Mount Gambier Master Plan.

The shopping centre was downsized because to allow retail on the northern gateway and bulky goods on the western entrance into the city.

Mr McEvoy said council was expected to make a decision on the draft and revised plan, which expected to come before council “over its next few meetings”.

He said the developers had yet to lodge building plans with the council, which was expected to include a smaller shopping centre with 10 speciality shops.

Regarding the $10m proposed Homemaker Centre near Bunnings, Mr McEvoy said the developer had yet to lodge building plans despite receiving planning approval.

SANDRA MORELLO

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Comments

One Response to “New shopping complex planned”

  1. Shazzy on October 31st, 2008 6:48 pm 1

    Yeah! Mount Gambier is moving with the times. Big W is just what this city needs to shake up the retailers we already have.