Mornington residents unload on Kaufland proposal for prime site
Furious Mornington residents have blasted Kaufland for not consulting on its Bata site plan.
South East
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FURIOUS residents have blasted the controversial Kaufland proposal for lacking transparency.
The German supermarket giant is looking to open six stores in greater Melbourne.
But residents and business operators at a packed public meeting hosted by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council said the project slated for the Bata site in Mornington’s gateway was inappropriate and there had been no consultation.
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One angry resident likened the lack of transparency to “Lady Godiva riding through Mornington with an overcoat on”.
Residents also said increased traffic could cause safety issues for students walking to and from nearby Padua College if the proposal went ahead.
Ritchies chief executive Fred Harrison was applauded after slamming the planning process as unfair, unjust and wrong.
Concerns were raised about the Kaufland’s impact on businesses in Mornington’s bustling Main St, as well as Mt Eliza and Mt Martha.
Mt Eliza Chamber of Commerce representative Alison Doherty said there would be a huge economic impact on small businesses if Kaufland went ahead.
Mornington state Liberal MP David Morris told the meeting that the government’s decision to remove the planning process from the council was an “absolute disgrace”.
Kaufland stores will have an in-house bakery, deli, butchery, cafe as well as a conventional grocery and Kmart styled department section.
The company has also flagged a 20m sign on Nepean Highway advertising the business.
A government spokeswoman, who did not want to be named, said an “independent advisory committee process on Kaufland stores” had been set up to “ensure we get the best outcomes for local communities and Victoria”.
“Members of the public and local retail community are encouraged to participate in the public hearings and process to share their views,” she said.
“The advisory committee process allows for a consistent, timely and transparent approach to assess the planning merits of these proposals, and to gather public feedback.”
Kaufland officials previously told the Leader that the company was committed to engaging with local communities in an honest, transparent and fair way.
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