Woolworths campaigners letterbox every home in Mosman
A community action group campaigning against Woolworths is letterboxing every home in Mosman encouraging them to have their say on a planning document.
A group campaigning against Woolworths in Mosman is letterboxing every home in the suburb to get residents involved.
Mosman Village Community printed 15,000 flyers to urge people to have their say on a future planning document.
The draft Mosman Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS) is currently on public exhibition and sets out Mosman Council’s 20-year vision for land use planning.
“This is our opportunity to let the Council know what we think and what we want,” the flyer says.
“Woolworths will destroy what we love about Mosman Village.
“Please join with Mosman Village Community to support Council changing planning controls to limit the size of retail premises and only allow small local shops in our village.”
The group says that a “megastore” would damage local neighbourhood shops and increase trucks and traffic on the already busy road.
Mosman Village Community now has about 75 volunteers on board.
Community group member Mark Longhurst encouraged residents to read the LSPS document and make a submission to council. He believes if people give their view to council it can have an impact on large scale development that will be planned for Mosman including Woolworths.
“We are not in this to just oppose Woolies. We want to keep going as a committee to make sure things like this don’t happen down the track,” Mr Longhurst said.
“It’s anti-large scale development in Mosman. We don’t want high rise. We don’t want Balmoral to look like the Gold Coast.”
Woolworths bought several buildings along Military Road on a site between Belmont Rd and Gouldsbury St. This does not include the Mosman RS Club, which is governed by different rules to standard commercial property.
Woolworths has not made any decision on the Mosman site and is still evaluating its plans for the area.
Mosman Council’s key planning priorities are set out in the LSPS document. One of the priorities is to maintain the “village atmosphere” while enhancing local centres.
“Consider planning controls for neighbourhood centres to ensure the village atmosphere is maintained,” the document states.
Residents can have their say until August 7 via the Mosman Council website or by letter.
A spokesman for Woolworths said it is engaging with residents, business and council regarding a potential retail and community development in Mosman. It wants to respect and enhance the local heritage and what the community values about the village.
“While no decisions have been made and we’re still evaluating our plans for the area, we have undertaken a series of small community research workshops to help us better understand community priorities,” the spokesman said.
“In these sessions, we’ve heard how important the area’s heritage and village characteristics are to residents, along with local challenges associated with traffic and car parking.
“Community members also discussed the importance of any future development complementing existing businesses in Mosman.”
Mosman Council said it has not received any development application from Woolworths.
“The draft Mosman LSPS sets out Council’s 20-year vision for land use planning in Mosman, along with a suite of planning priorities and actions relating to housing, local centres, infrastructure and the environment,” a spokeswoman said.
“Council is inviting submissions from all residents and interested parties.”
IN OTHER NEWS
From bush to Aussie rugby jersey! Country teens amazing story
Last year a teenager made his first NSW country team, played his heart out and is now inspiring other young guns from the bush as a rising star of rugby.
Sydney hospo giant to close restaurant in tourist hotspot
Hospo industry giant Justin Hemmes is closing down one of his high-end waterfront eateries at a Sydney tourist hotspot.