A SUPERMARKET turf war has erupted in Como, with the owner of IGA X-press trying to stop a Farmer Jack’s from being built next door.
Chris Van Der Veen has paid for a full-page advertisement in Tuesday’s Southern Gazette outlining the traffic, parking safety and planning concerns he has about the potential redevelopment on Canning Highway.
The City of South Perth received the two storey, $4.5 million development, which includes the tenancy for Farmer Jacks as well as two smaller retail tenancies, on October 25.
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READ NOWMr Van Der Veen said the biggest problem he had with development was the social impact it would have on residents living on Birdwood and Hobbs avenues.
“People have said I have an economic interest therefore I’m biased but the developer has an economic interest as well and the fact is this development will impact on its neighbours,” he said.
“If it was a good development and it was good for the area there is not much I could do and I would change my shop to suit; that is business and I get that and it doesn’t worry me in the least, it actually presents opportunities for growth.
“But, I am from the area and I am a developer myself and it just doesn’t make sense to allow a development like this to occur.”
The City held a special electors meeting last month after receiving a petition against the development from South Perth resident Mark Goodwin, who presented a motion to oppose the development and request the City recommend that the Metropolitan Central Joint Development Assessment Panel (JDAP) reject the application because it was contrary to orderly and proper planning and the preservation of the amenities of the locality.
The electors motion was lost 26-28.
At the meeting, South Perth ratepayer Kelly Chapman supported the development saying the City was seriously under serviced for the needs of families and young persons, with supermarkets top of that list.
“I fully support and appreciate local business and that includes the IGA currently located in the area (of the proposal) however in my opinion the IGA is a small convenience offering and as a mum with a family it is not somewhere I would go for my weekly supermarket shop.
“To have to drive to Victoria Park for shopping needs is just not appropriate in what should be a growing inner city urban realm and there is not doubt in my mind this area is under serviced in terms of supermarkets.”
The JDAP will consider the application on February 12.
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