Bundaberg St Vincent De Paul’s Op Shop applies for extension due to squatters

A local charity op-shop is applying to redevelop its premises amid ongoing concerns the public is being left ‘at risk’.

The Vinnie's shop front has become a haven for squatters and locals dumping donations.

A local charity op-shop has been forced to apply for a development application with the Bundaberg Regional Council over safety concerns at the store front.

The St Vincent De Paul’s charity shop on the corner of McLean St and Woondooma St, Bundaberg Central has applied for a Material Change of Use to the store.

The application proposes extending the existing footprint of the building and turn the exposed, concreted outdoor area near the store’s shop front into a closed area which can be used for retail space.

According to the development application, which has been submitted by Insite SJC on behalf of St Vincent De Paul’s Queensland, the extension has become a necessity for the safety of staff and shoppers.

“Currently the outdoor area has become a public safety risk due to squatters and general unruly behaviour, in addition to clothing and personal items being dumped at the site,” the development application said.

“Vinnies have made the operational decision to enclose the area.”

Plans for the updated shop front were submitted to the Bundaberg Regional Council.

The proposed extension would bring the building line of the shop towards the front of the block, while providing protection from rain and other inclement weather for pedestrians.

“(It will be a) commercial building with some architectural treatments such as breaks in walls, fenestrated facade, awning and stepped roofline, clad in brick face brick and FC sheeting that in concert results in a development that is visually consistent with the existing development and appropriate for the current level of streetscape appeal,” the development application says.

The extension will increase the stores floorsize by 85.37sq m, and will allow the store to continue being of “direct public benefit to the regional catchment by providing a retail service tailored to meet the needs of all members of the Bundaberg social fabric”.

St Vincent De Paul’s Queensland has been contacted for a comment.