DESPITE documentation stating that the City of South Perth needs additional retail outlets, an application for a Farmer Jacks Supermarket on Canning Highway had residents and councillors on edge.
The City received the plans for the proposed commercial development, which includes the Farmer Jacks and two smaller retail tenancies in October 2017.
But it was only after final revisions had been submitted in May that City officers released a report deeming the development generally compliant.
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READ NOWAt a council meeting on May 29, Belinda Moharich, a legal representative for IGA X-press owner Chris Van Der Veen was one of nine people to give a deputation against the City’s advice.
Ms Moharich said she had been advised by her client that if the development was approved he would have not choice but to close his store.
In January, Mr Van Der Veen took out a full page in the Southern Gazette that outlined traffic, parking safety and planning concerns he had regarding Farmer Jack’s plans.
At the time he said if the application presented a good development there would not be much he could do and he would change his shop to suit, however as a developer himself he believed the plans were contrary to orderly and proper planning.
Following deputations and a lengthy debate, councillors voted 7-1 to recommend the Metropolitan Central Joint Development Assessment Panel (JDAP) refuse the application.
As the decided authority for the $4.5 million development, the JDAP will make its determination on June 7.
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