Developer Vixscun Pty Ltd will see Ballina Heights shopping complex progress

Frustrated residents of a North Coast suburb have been left waiting up to 10 years for the corner store they were promised when they purchased land. Now the development could be completed within two years.

A shopping complex for Ballina Heights and Cumbalum residents has inched forward after years of delays.

Ballina Shire Council voted unanimously on Thursday to prepare a planning proposal for a commercial precinct on the corner of Ballina Heights and Power Drive in Cumbalum.

The proposal has a two-decade history with Ballina Shire Council, and was in 2015, subject to a $10 million Woolworths development application that was later withdrawn.

It is understood current plans would be more similar to the nature of the East Ballina Shopping Centre Complex.

Past plans for the future Ballina Heights commercial precinct.

The recommendation saw General Manager Paul Hickey authorised to progress voluntary planning agreement negotiations (VPA) for the centre and developers Vixscun Pty Ltd and the Ballina Parish of the Catholic Church prioritise commercial space before residential blocks.

In council discussion, Councillor Jeff Johnson said the closest grocery store was Aldi and urged for the development to be constructed in the next two years.

“This is a key issue for the residents of Cumbalum, I think we’re the only part of the shire that doesn’t have even a local shop,” he said.

“I’m just really concerned, and so are a lot of the residents I speak to, that if we move forward with this that it actually happens.

“Many people who bought land and who built land up in the Ballina Heights Cumbalum area were assured by real estate agents and the plans that there would be a commercial centre with local shops.

“Some built up here 10 years ago and nothing has still happened.”

Ballina Councillor Jeff Johnson spoke on the need to get the shopping complex as soon as possible. Picture: Rebecca Fist

Councillor Phil Meehan had similar issues about timeliness and housing which initially led him to oppose the recommendation.

He said the developers had brought several proposals to council which were later changed and not acted on.

“There is 20 years of history to this,” he said.

“I don’t feel confident enough that the developer and proponents are actually going to do this in a timeline we may be expecting.

“For me to vote for this I need to see more certainty.”

He also questioned the “meagre” allotment of attainable housing, eventually submitting a recommendation that council negotiate further with the developers to increase the area dedicated to attainable housing within the Voluntary Planning Agreement.

Councillor Kiri Dicker said she commended the development for providing five social housing spaces, the remainder of which would influence her ongoing support.

“(There is an immediate need in our community right now for low cost social housing,” she said.

In earlier council applications, the development forecasted 4,227 people are expected to live in the Cumbalum, Kinvara and Tintenbar areas by 2036.