Residents defeat Bunnings bid to open mega store at Panorama after marathon Development Assessment Panel meeting
ROWDY residents have defeated Bunnings over its bid for a planned new mega store in Adelaide’s inner-south. It had proposed investing $42 million in the shop.
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Tell us below: Is the angst over this planned store warranted?
ROWDY residents have defeated Bunnings from opening in Panorama after Mitcham Council’s Development Assessment Panel rejected the commercial giant’s $42 million proposal.
After a four hour debate, residents clapped the decision to refuse the development on the grounds it did not suit the area, was too big, out of character and would create traffic issues for nearby residents.
Say No to Bunnings Panorama Group Spokesman Peter Bryant said “justice prevailed”.
“What I am most impressed with is as a community member I feel like we have been genuinely listened to,” Mr Bryant said.
He suggested building medium-density housing at the site.
“Around the world we are seeing ... (Investment) in medium-density housing that promotes the building of communities,” he said.
Panel member Richard Woods voted against the proposal because it did not suit the area.
“This sort of development looks fine at Marion and Mile End, in an appropriate zone,” he said.
“It is out of character here.”
About 10 residents spoke on behalf of about 80 people at the meeting, raising concerns about traffic in residential streets, car parking, more traffic lights and the building’s design.
Some residents yelled at Bunnings’ spokespeople who said the development on Goodwood Rd would not have a serious impact on traffic.
James Levinson, from Botten Levinson lawyers on behalf of Bunnings, said the development would have benefited the community.
Earlier in the evening attendees yelled at a Bunnings’ spokeswoman from the gallery who said the development on Goodwood Rd would not have a serious impact on traffic.
Amanda Price-McGregor, who spoke on behalf of Domain Mitre 10 in Westbourne Park, Banner Mitre 10 in Blackwood and Mitre 10 Barrow & Bench in Malvern, said if the development was approved, local hardware stores could be forced to shut their doors.
“It will have a detrimental impact on other businesses (in the area) ... It cannot be supported,” Ms Price-McGregor said.
“This is a grave departure from the development plan.”
GT Legal spokesman Mr Tisato, representing about 12 residents, said even though the development would create jobs, more in the area will be lost.
“This does not take into account the jobs that will be lost in the surrounding areas,” he said.
“This does not consider the opposite side of the story.”
Peter Bryant — a spokesman for the Say No to Bunnings Panorama group- said the development did not suit the area.
“This area should be used for medium-density housing,” he said.
A Panorama resident feared traffic would escalate in the area, making roads unsafe for children wanting to play at nearby parks or ride bikes.
“Raising children is a community responsibility,” he said.
“I want my family to be safe.”
Opposition to the Panorama Bunnings proposal had forced Mitcham Council to move the meeting to the Clapham Primary School gym because the council chambers are too small for all the objectors down to speak against the application.
Only four of the 293 representations the council received supported the proposal.
Thousands of residents signed a petition against the store’s construction but the panel has recommended approving the development.