Moduline lodges development application for major Ingham CBD expansion

A development application has been lodged for a potentially transformative, high-tech factory in the heart of the Ingham CBD. DETAILS.

Highly regarded custom kitchen and cabinet manufacturer Moduline in Ingham. Picture: Cameron Bates

The Hinchinbrook Shire Council has confirmed that a development application has been lodged for a potentially transformative, high-tech factory in the heart of the Ingham CBD.

The confirmation follows an anonymous tip from a “concerned resident” who said Ingham-based Moduline – a highly regarded North Queensland custom kitchen and cabinet manufacturer operating since 1955 – was planning a new 5000 square metre automated factory on Herbert Street, the Bruce Highway.

Mayor Ramon Jayo on Tuesday rejected suggestions the project was “secretive” or a “done deal”, saying it had only just received the development application (DA).

“The application was only lodged the other day,” he said, “council hasn’t even considered the application yet because it is going through the planning processes.”

The affected businesses on the proposed factory site are Cantatore Guardian Pharmacy, signage-services company Significant Signs, Lifeline Shop Ingham and the Salvation Army, including its Townsville storage facility.

The proposed new site for an expanded Moduline factory, which encompasses Cantatore Guardian Pharmacy, signage-services company Significant Signs, Lifeline Shop Ingham and the Salvation Army, including its Townsville storage facility, and a residential property on Lynn St, Ingham.

A flood-damaged residential property on Lynn Street that is understood to have been recently acquired by the Gusmerolis is also included in the potential development area with the tenants confirming on Monday that they were moving.

Lifeline regional business manager for North Queensland Donna Green confirmed it had been given notice to vacate and would be relocating within Ingham about mid-April.

“We are actively pursuing another site … Lifeline Retail is actively committed to assisting the people of Ingham and it’s the building that will change, not the assistance to the Ingham community.”

The Moduline showrooms on Herbert Street, Ingham. Picture: Cameron Bates

The Salvation Army said a “replacement (location) is currently being sought”.

Mr Jayo confirmed the proposal was an expansion of the existing Moduline factory to the location across Herbert St.

He said Moduline had applied for a “material change of use” for land under the council Planning Scheme.

“The council must consider whether that particular use would be suitable for that particular parcel of land and the things that need to be considered are whether the use would have any (negative) effects to the existing environment,” he said.

Gusmeroli-family owned Moduline, which has sales offices in Cairns, Ingham and Townsville, has been operating since 1965 and manufactures and custom installs kitchens, bathrooms, laundries, entertainment areas, wardrobes and commercial spaces. Picture: Moduline

Mr Jayo said considerations would include traffic impacts and potential noise pollution.

He said the application would be thoroughly investigated and a report prepared for the elected council that would then potentially vote.

Cantatore Guardian Pharmacy on Herbert Street, the Bruce Highway, Ingham. Picture: Cameron Bates

Mr Jayo said the public would be given the opportunity to provide its views on the proposal once the company “notifies the community of its intention to change the use of the land”.

“If a member of the community wishes to have a say, they are entitled to lodge a submission to council and it may be against the proposal or it may be for the proposal,” he said.

“By lodging a submission to council, that then entitles them to formally appeal any decision that the council may make … to the Planning and Environment Court.”’

Lifeline Shop Ingham and signage-services company Significant Signs on Herbert Street, the Bruce Highway. Picture: Cameron Bates

The Gusmeroli family – who own Moduline and Ingham Manufactures Mitre 10 – said it was too early to comment on the proposal.

The Salvation Army Ingham Store on Herbert Street, the Bruce Highway, Ingham. Picture: Cameron Bates

Moduline is an award-winning design and manufacturing company with sales offices in Cairns, Ingham and Townsville.

North Queensland’s “leading kitchen design and cabinet manufacturer” manufactures and custom installs kitchens, bathrooms, laundries, entertainment areas and wardrobes.

Originally published as Moduline lodges development application for major Ingham CBD expansion