Woolies opposition group ramps up Mosman campaign
Opposition to Woolworths opening a store in the heart of Mosman is so powerful that residents have hired a PR company to help.
The community campaign against Woolworths is ramping up in Mosman.
A public relations company has come on board to help residents fight the development in the heart of the upmarket suburb’s shopping district.
Woolworths quietly spent millions buying a string of properties along Military Road and is planning a retail outlet in the area.
“Woolworths is waging a war on Military Road at the expense of Mosman businesses and the feel of our local village,” said Jim Slavin, from action group Mosman Village Community.
In the media release issued by PR company Australian Public Affairs the group said the supermarket is trying to “pull a woolies over our eyes”.
The group has lashed out at Woolworths for consulting the community in focus groups, which they believe are a sham.
“Now under the cover of ‘consultation’, they have begun a process that will inevitably conclude that everyone wants a shopping centre that will kill local businesses and increase traffic,” Mr Slavin said.
The site in question is on land bound by Belmont Road and Gouldsbury St and Woolworths has purchased several of the properties on the strip.
This does not include the popular Mosman RS Club, which is governed by different rules to standard commercial property.
No decisions for the planned retail outlet have yet been made by the supermarket giant. It is understood Woolworths hosted the workshops with locals to share its initial ideas and concepts for the area, while also getting feedback. The groups were independently recruited by a market research company.
“We are committed to engaging with the local community, local businesses, landowners and Council regarding a potential retail and community development within Mosman,” Woolworths head of property development Andrew Loveday said.
“We are seeking to respect and enhance local heritage and what the community values about the village and these sessions have been invaluable in helping us do this.”
Woolworths will host public information sessions in August and September.
Mosman Council did not wish to make any comment on the media release from the community.
It is currently exhibiting a document outlining its vision for land use in the area over the next 20 years. This draft Local Strategic Planning Statement considers a range of topics including the unique village atmosphere, infrastructure and local centres.
The anti-Woolworths residents believe this planning review could pose a threat to a major supermarket development.
The group said the plans could limit the size of shops on Military Rd.
“Mosman locals are pleased to hear that Mosman Council is considering plans to prevent destruction of our local village,” Mr Slavin said.
“In the short term, the LSPS could stop Woolworths’ ambitious development plans. “Importantly, in the long term, the LSPS has the power to preserve the unique community feel of Mosman Village.”
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