Gregory Hills’ Grima Bros Wholesale Produce alive thanks to Camden Council
Gregory Hills’ Grima Bros Wholesale Produce has thanked the community and “people power” after Camden Council approved its application to continue to trade.
Macarthur
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Gregory Hills’ Grima Bros Wholesale Produce has thanked the community and “people power” after Camden Council approved its application to continue to trade.
Camden councillors voted unanimously to approve the development on Tuesday night, following objections to the store from Dartwest since May and a Land and Environment Court battle.
Dartwest Developments objected to the development application believing the store undermined investment confidence in Gregory Hills, primarily the proposed Gregory Hills Town Centre.
Grima Bros owner Joe Grima said the sustained applause from more than 200 supporters after he addressed the meeting was overwhelming.
“It made my heart beat again,” he said.
“I was overwhelmed to see so many supporters. I certainly didn’t expect to see so many people there. Our community and customers have played a big role in this. Without them, we probably wouldn’t have this shop open.
“We are so grateful for that beyond belief. It’s amazing. I did not expect the decision to go our way last night because of the council (staff) recommendation (to refuse the development application).
“The councillors, mayor and council staff I can’t thank any more. They had no fault in this and we had no fault in this.”
Grima Bros, who had been operating legally with a complying development certification issued by a private certifier, asked Camden Council for a variation of development controls in a bid to end the Land and Environment Court case.
More than 6000 people signed a petition in support of the Grima Bros business.
The Camden Council report presented to councillors recommended the development application be refused.
Camden Mayor Lara Symkowiak told the council it was one of the most difficult decisions she had faced as a councillor.
“I understand both sides which makes it a very difficult decision. Council has found ourselves between a rock and a hard place,” she said.
“As a small-business owner, I could not in good faith shut down another.”
Dartwest general manager David Taylor said the outcome was disappointing.
“We are disappointed. We wouldn’t have gone down this path if we didn’t think it was important,” he said.
“We are disappointed on behalf of Gregory Hills residents more than anything. We have made existing investments and proposed investments on the basis of the (planning) rules being followed, so it's a challenging situation.
“It has put a significant dent in the likelihood of the Gregory Hills Town Centre now. We are not saying it is going to happen but it makes it a much more difficult project to deliver.”
The Land and Environment Court Case involving Grima Bros Wholesale Produce and Dartwest will likely end as a result, Mr Taylor said.
“Our likely position is that the court case will cease because they have a valid consent,” he said.
“The development consent is of more significance and weight than the (complying development) certificate.”