Residents silenced on Kaufland’s bid to build two-storey supermarket on old Le Cornu site at Forestville

A GERMAN supermarket giant is planning a two-storey, $34.6m store that would open at midnight every day — but anyone living more than 60 metres away won’t get a say in the proposal.

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FORESTVILLE residents fear their concerns about a proposed $34 million supermarket at the old Le Cornu site will be ignored, under strict planning rules.

German supermarket chain Kaufland has applied to the State Commission Assessment Panel to build a two-storey, $34.6 million supermarket at the Anzac Highway property.

However, state planning rules mean that residents within 60m of the proposed supermarket only can provide formal feedback to the panel.

The rules, in place since 1993, also state representations made by people outside of the immediate area of the development “will not have any effect for any relevant purpose”.

Leah St resident Cathy Hepstinstall, who lives about 600m from the proposed supermarket, was concerned it would lead to increased traffic.
“It is going to be highly disruptive as we will have people driving along Leader St at all hours of the day,” Ms Hepstinstall said.

An artist impression of the Kaufland supermarket proposed for Anzac Hwy, Forestville.

“We already have parking issues in Leader and Leah streets so it is just going to get worse. Our voices are not going to be heard.”
Ms Hepstinstall said other neighbours had organised public meetings to appeal against the proposal.
The supermarket would operate from midnight to 9pm on weekdays and close at 5pm on weekends. It would have 487 carparks.

Greens MLC Mark Parnell called on the panel to accept submissions from all residents.

“The planning system is a complete joke when it comes to community involvement in important decisions that affect people’s lives” Mr Parnell, a former planning lawyer, said.
“Regardless of the merits or otherwise of this development, it is appalling that the community won’t be consulted.”
Mr Parnell said he planned on introducing legislation to the Parliament for wider community consultation.
It is not known when the application will be assessed by the panel.

The company paid $25 million last year to purchase the Le Cornu warehouse.

Kaufland, which opened its first supermarket in Germany in 1984, has more than 1230 stores in Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland.

It has more than 150,000 employees across the world.