Council has replied to TRRA’s enquiry about about its intentions following the withdrawal by Tinklercorp of its offer to buy the entire 11 hectares of land surrounding the existing Centre. Council replied on 3 April HERE that it had resolved not to develop a Masterplan but that it would be holding stakeholder workshops to develop ‘design guidelines’.

A report to Council Committee on 10 April gave a partial history of the Tinklercorp negotiations, and noted that Woolworths had taken up a 2010 option to purchase some 2 hectares of land to the north of the existing centre. The Examiner reported (19 April) that detailed negotiations are now underway for a BigW store, more car parking and additional specialty shops, linked to the existing centre near where Aldi was reported earlier to be moving in.

TRRA welcomes the increased retail variety and competition but remains concerned at Councils’ piecemeal approach to the development of the overall site, and environmental impacts.  We have accepted HERE the invitation to  participate in the workshops but will also press Council for an integrated and visionary plan that also takes in the valuable community facilities including the library and child care centre.