State Commission Assessment Panel to give Kaufland green light for Churchill Rd development

A retail complex centred around a Kaufland supermarket on Churchill Road is set to get approval from the state’s assessment panel despite the Prospect Council still voicing concerns over the development.

A 4052sqm Kaufland supermarket on Churchill Road will be given approval by the State Commission Assessment Panel. Picture: SA Planning Commission

A retail complex centred around a Kaufland supermarket on Churchill Road will get approval from the state’s assessment panel – despite the Prospect Council still voicing concerns.

The State Commission Assessment Panel will on Thursday approve the proposed $35 million retail complex.

It will comprise the 4052 sqm Kaufland store, 1607 sqm stockroom and amenities, a 280 sqm food hall and three supporting tenancies that will be a combined 245 sqm.

It will also feature 384 car parks, and 10 bike parks – below the required 31 bike parks under the land use plan.

The supermarket was first proposed by Kaufland last year. Picture: SA Planning Commision

When it was first proposed by the German giant last year, Prospect Council said it was far too big, poorly designed and out of step with the type of the development envisaged for Churchill Rd.

This was when the footprint of the supermarket was 6260 sqm.

Despite the reduction in size, SCAP agenda papers for Thursday’s meeting reveal that the council still holds concerns about the development.

This includes;

Accessibility of pedestrian access to the nearby train station,

Landscaping of the road to widen the area fronting Churchill Rd and Regency Rd,

The look of the development.

But DPTI senior planning officer Karen Ferguson said the development demonstrated “sufficient merit” to warrant approval.

“(It) will ensure the redevelopment of a key, under-utilised site in the inner metropolitan area,” she said.

Prospect Council members still hold concerns about the retail complex, including accessibility and overall appearance. Picture: SA Planning Commision