Plan will fracture town
I call on Team Gash to Support the rescission motion relating to Woolworths Bomaderry. This issue needs to be referred to council to report on its credentials as relates to the ACCC Effects Test recently announced by Gilmore MP Ann Sudmalis.
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It is not acceptable to fracture existing town centres by letting Woolworths build on cheap bulky goods land. This will displace workers from current stable jobs then give them reduced hours. The Woolworths experience in Ulladulla saw a dozen vacant stores and the closing of the IGA for a number of years after.
Support the community and not corporate greed. Look at this against the effects test and others as in the city following the precedent to allow a supermarket in a bulky goods area.
I am astonished council staff’s recommendation for refusal was not supported on such a critical decision. Council needs to consider the federal legislation, which is designed to protect our communities.
J. Willmott, Mollymook
Big box bad news
Team Gash voted en bloc, yet again, this time to give Woolworths approval to construct a new store in Bomaderry.
Approving the Woolworths development in Bomaderry will have an immediate and direct economic impact on Bomaderry, undermining the viability of existing centres, and a significant economic impact on Nowra CBD. By approving this development Team Gash members are paying lip-service to the revitalisation work that has already gone on in and around Nowra and Bomaderry.
By building Woolworths in Bomaderry, Woolworths executives expect to win a significant share of the market by changing shopping patterns and drawing patrons from Bomaderry, Gerringong, Kangaroo Valley, Shoalhaven Heads and everywhere in between. There would also be an expectation of winning a percentage of people living south of the bridge.
The Nowra CBD Revitalization Committee will have to develop new strategies to maintain the momentum it has already achieved because a Bomaderry Woolworths will add to the revitalization struggle.
It is true ‘big box’ shopping centres provide convenient shopping, some increased employment and discounted prices but eliminate small business and are detrimental to communities. Have a look at the number of businesses closing down in Vincentia, for example.
I am unable to support this proposal because in my opinion it is in the wrong location being contrary to the B5 zone objectives and being developed at the wrong time when there are questionable population projections to confirm its need.
Cr M. Kitchener, Mollymook
MP’s focus all wrong
I have been reading recent articles in the SCR regarding the Member for Gilmore being involved in local and state government matters.
From June 2015 to February 2016 I have written three emails and a letter to her office about pension/superannuation matters and received no replies. I have also called into her office in Nowra on four separate occasions asking for information on her government’s plans for retired part pensioners who also receive very modest superannuation payments. Each time I am told I cannot talk to her but asked to give my details and they will get her to ring me. Alas, nothing heard.
A week ago she was at Sussex Inlet handing over some goal post pads with her name prominently written over them and having photographs taken some 50 metres from my front door. Alas, no ring on the door.
I now realise that she is so busy attending meetings about council mergers, state government matters and fundraising events for the Liberal Party with the PM, she has no time left to attend to people who live in Gilmore. I think our local MP could do better.