THERE are fears the proposed new Woolworths complex in Bomaderry will “kill local supermarkets in Bomaderry and North Bomaderry” and “have a major effect on North Nowra and Berry”.
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A public meeting to discuss the proposal will be held next Wednesday, March 25 at the Bomaderry RSL Club.
Woolworths has submitted a development application to Shoalhaven City Council to build a $13.8 million supermarket on the former John Bull Centre near the corner of the Princes Highway and Cambewarra Road.
The single level supermarket will feature a full range Woolworths store with a gross floor area of 3860 square metres and include a mini-major retail tenancy of 1440 square metres and two 100 square metre specialty retail stores.
The community meeting has been called by the newly formed Don’t Bomb Bomaderry group.
Group spokesperson Wes Hindmarsh said people needed to know how this proposal was going to affect the local area.
“This development flies in the face of the 2014 Shoalhaven Local Environment Plan (LEP),” said Mr Hindmarsh, who started and owned the Lyndhurst Centre for 15 years.
“If we are going to welcome big business to town it needs to be on our terms. They need to follow the rules, follow the Shoalhaven plan.”
The Don’t Bomb Bomaderry group is made up of concerned local business owners, their customers and residents.
The group’s Facebook page attracted more than 200 likes in just over three days, with statistics showing their posts have reached over 2000 people.
“It is not surprising we have had such a strong response to the proposed development,” Mr Hindmarsh said.
“We value our existing local businesses and the diversity they offer — Shoalhaven residents want local centres, which is what the LEP requires.
“This 3800 square metre supermarket is way over the top for this site and this community.
“It will kill the supermarkets in Bomaderry and North Bomaderry, and have a major effect on North Nowra and Berry.
“It is proven that when supermarkets die, all of their surrounding retailers die.
“Local businesses going broke is not good for our community.
“Who is going to lease all of the vacant shops? Vacant shops bring crime.
“Our community does not want big business to wipe out the history and vibrancy of this region.
“We do not want a cookie cutter town. We can say no.”
Mr Hindmarsh said the group was not against retail for the region but was opposed to big business’s need for profit trumping the rights of the local community.
“Building outside of existing retail centres is an example of might over rights,” he said.
Bomaderry pharmacist Rachel Forgan said there were already enough Woolworths supermarkets in greater Nowra.
“This is completely against the planning objectives that council wrote themselves,” she said.
“The objectives say any retail approved must ‘support the viability of existing centres’. This won’t support the existing Bomaderry retail centre, it will kill it.
“It also goes on to say this Woolworths site must not ‘significantly conflict with the operation of existing or proposed development’.
“It will not only conflict with the existing shopping strip, it will kill the existing shopping strip.
“If the supermarket closes and all of the shops in Meroo Street are forced to close, it will not be a good look.
“Anyone getting off the train will look across the road at a ghost town of empty shops.”
Anyone who wants to know where the proposed development site is and how it may affect them can go to the Don’t Bomb Bomaderry Facebook page or attend the community meeting at the Bomaderry RSL Club on March 25 from 7pm.
