A LIQUOR store and cafe will feature at the $23.5 million Woolworths development under construction in Mt Pleasant.
The 4900sq m commercial precinct, being built on the corner of Reynolds Road and Canning Highway, will include a shopping centre, a first floor for specialty tenancies and two underground levels with bays for up to 236 cars.
Added to that will be a BWS outlet and cafe after the Metro Central Joint Development Assessment Panel (JDAP) voted 3-2 to allow conversion of two shop tenancies.
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READ NOWUrbis spokeswoman Megan Gammon, who was joined by Woolworths development manager Jarrad Wilson at the JDAP meeting on Wednesday, said the changes were consistent with the City of Melville’s planning framework.
“Overall the modifications are minor in the context of the broader development approved in August and do not seek to alter the building footprint,” she said.
But Melville councillor Nicole Robins, in her role on the panel, disagreed.
“If a liquor store was a ‘P’ use then I’d be ok with it because residents, whether they’re aware or not, could end up with a liquor store anyway,” she said.
“But the fact that discretion must be applied, I just think this should go through a bigger process.”
Melville Deputy Mayor Matthew Woodall, querying why there was no public consultation, argued residents in the area would not consider it a small change.
“I feel if (the cafe and liquor store) had been included as part of the initial application there likely would have been comment about the nature of the use,” he said.
“I think this treatment as a minor amendment deprives residents of that opportunity.”
In his responsible authorities report, Melville’s director of urban planning Steve Cope said advertising was not needed because the amendments were minor and would not impact adjoining properties or the surrounding area.
“It is further noted that whilst formal consultation in respect of this amended application has not been undertaken by the City, there will be a process of consultation followed by the Department of Racing Gaming and Liquor when they administer and determine the liquor licence application,” he said.
Wednesday’s approval also included amendments to signage and the first level floor plan.
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