Bomaderry businesses ramp up fight

Retailers and residents launched the Don’t Bomb Bomaderry group to act as a voice against Shoalhaven City Council approving the development.

Woolworths submitted a development application to build a $13.8 million supermarket on the former John Bull Centre site near the corner of the Princes Highway and Cambewarra Road.

The single level supermarket will feature a full range Woolworths store with a floor area of 3860 square metres and include retail and specialty stores.

A public meeting addressing the issue will be held on Wednesday, March 25 at 7pm in the Bomaderry RSL Club.

Don’t Bomb Bomaderry spokesman Wes Hindmarsh said he hoped council staff and councillors would consider their position carefully with the zonings they’ve provided to this site in relation to the Woolworths DA.

“I hope they ensure it’s worthwhile for this area, if it does go ahead it will impact the small businesses and residents,” he said.

Debbie Shepherd, who works at the IGA supermarket in Lyndhurst Drive and at Berry, said there was concern the impact of a supermarket on the highway in Bomaderry would hurt businesses in Berry as well as Bomaderry.

“We know people stop in Berry to buy supplies on their way down the coast,” she said.

The impact on small businesses being squeezed is likely to be felt wider and further than the immediate suburb which was why North Nowra Butchery owner Wayne Kennedy was supporting the campaign.

“If a Woolworths shopping centre is built here, sure people might save a few cents on some shopping but your grandchildren probably won’t have apprenticeships or jobs,” he said.

Christian Democratic Party candidate for Kiama, Steve Ryan has also joined the campaign making a stance against the proposed development on different grounds.

“As I understand it, the zoning for that parcel of land is not meant for a supermarket,” he said.