Landmark case as residents join Holmview cinema court appeal

A prominent shopping centre developer has received support from an unusual source in its bid to overturn a council decision refusing it the right to build some cinemas south of Brisbane.

An artist impression of the planned extension at Holmview Central Shopping Centre.

A PROMINENT shopping centre developer, barred from building a cinema complex, is challenging the decision in court along with a vocal residents’ group.

Lancini Group, which owns Holmview Central Shopping Centre, lodged an appeal against Logan City Council’s refusal of its cinema complex extension in the Planning and Environment Court.

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A group of Logan residents, expected to be more than 385, angry over the council refusal, will also join the appeal.

They have engaged their own lawyer and barrister and will join the appeal as an independent group.

It will be a landmark case for the council, which has never faced ratepayers in this number supporting a development.

The council refused Lancini’s application to extend its Logan River Rd complex on June 26, saying it was too big for the area.

DEVELOPER’S PLAN SPARKS OPPOSITION

HYPERDOME OPPOSITION

The application sparked opposition from retail centres at Beenleigh and the Hyperdome but garnered a large community backing for the cinemas.

The council received 385 submissions in support of the application and 96 in opposition.

All who made submissions will be eligible to join the appeal.

Cinemas are part of the extension plan at Holmview Central.

Action Group spokesman Diana Howes said the community supported the cinema and centre extension plan because there was a need for retail, leisure and dining facilities in the area.

“Importantly, the extension would be a key generator of more than 600 new jobs in the area, creating employment opportunities for young people which currently do not exist,” she said.

“The community’s appeal will be at our cost and will only focus on the things that matter to us so we have a voice in court — council is not our voice.

“We anticipate having to undertake significant fund raising activities.”

A Lancini study into the project found it would create 600 new jobs, a figure which was peer reviewed.