John Venn Consulting is among 120 businesses and local residents objecting to the plans by Bunnings Warehouse to build its biggest-ever store in Keperra ? a 25,000 square metre “big box” development on the eight-hectare site of the former Keperra Quarry on Settlement Road, to be completed by 2015. Developers Brookfield Multiplex owns the land beside the quarry site earmarked by Bunnings.
Meanwhile, arch rival Masters is building a store three kilometres away in Everton Park, at the old Woolworths distribution centre.
Bunnings’ application requires the Keperra Quarry site first to be rezoned, then for major traffic modifications on Settlement Road.
?Piecemeal approach?
John Venn Consulting represents Brookside and Stafford City shopping centres. “The application is confusing by intent and represents a piecemeal approach to development which is not supported by adequate or appropriate information or justification,” the company’s submission says.
It also questions why nothing has happened on the site since a development application for it was approved in 2004. “[It] suggests that no economic or community need exists for the development,” the submission says.
The town planning company points out that the Enoggera District Local Plan requests the site be used for low-density integrated housing or linked to a childcare centre. However Brisbane City Council says the Enoggera District Plan shows a “preferred” land use, not formal land use requirements.
The Gap Handyman Centre is one of seven local hardware centres and feels they may be forced out of business by a new Bunnings store. Company owner Jen Arnold adds in his formal submission that Bunnings is proposing to provide 661 fewer car spaces (883) than required under the City Plan (1544).
The new development application is being investigated by the council’s development application teams and has not been set down to come before the Neighbourhood Planning committee.
?Bunnings’ proposed investment in the Keperra area will provide great job opportunities for the local community, with over 160 new positions available in the Bunnings team, representing strong employment and on the job training opportunities for local residents and school leavers,? Andrew Marks, Bunnings’ general manager of property, said in a statement. ?In addition, the project is estimated to create over 420 jobs during the construction phase, signifying a direct investment in the local area.”
Sources: The Brisbane Times, The Bayside Bulletin, The Redland Times