Bunnings $42m bid: 2100 reasons we don’t want your hardware super store

THOUSANDS of residents have signed a petition against plans for a $42 million Bunnings store planed for the old TAFE site on Goodwood Rd. Here’s why they are standing firm.

THOUSANDS of residents have signed a petition against plans for a $42 million Bunnings store planed for the old TAFE site on Goodwood Rd.

The Say No to Bunnings Panorama group presented the petition with 2100 signatures to last week’s Mitcham Council meeting, demanding the council reject the company’s application.

The group said the store was inappropriate for the area, would put local hardware shops out of business and bring traffic to a standstill, forcing motorists to use residential streets.

Group member Peter Bryant said the group would fight against the application’s approval every step of the way — the petition was started last year.

“Concerned residents will use every avenue available to them through the formal assessment process to make sure the council is made fully aware of the concerns relating to this proposed development, particularly in relation to traffic and safety,” Mr Bryant said.

The Bedford Group has thrown its support behind the hardware giant because of the amount of jobs it provided to its workers with disabilities.

In a letter of support to the council, Bedford Group chief executive Sally Powell said the group “fully endorse Bunnings joining (the) local community”.

The Bedford Group packages $16 million worth of Bunnings products at its Panorama factory each year, providing jobs for at least 250 people in Adelaide with disabilities.

Council spokesman Craig Harrison told the meeting around 340 responses were received during community consultation on the development.

Mitcham chief executive Matthew Pears said after the meeting he could not say whether there were more people for or against the proposal.

He said the council was planning on holding a special development assessment panel meeting to consider the proposal.

Bunnings property general manager Andrew Marks said the company would continue to work with the local community and Mitcham Council to get the best possible outcome.