Should the concept plan go ahead shops would be built on a pocket of the Land Council's property, taking up 9500 square metres of land bordered by Old Illawarra and New Illawarra roads.

The land council's project manager, Martin Waters, said it was too early to say which retailers would occupy the space should the development go ahead.

Members of the Lucas Heights Community School's P&C have obtained a preliminary sketch of the proposal and have voted to object to the plan which includes some school land.

The P&C president, Lisa Poore, said parents were concerned about the possible loss of a section of the school land marked on the sketch.

The section was bushland where children did bush walks and environmental studies, Mrs Poore said.

``There would be increased traffic and if the plan that we saw goes ahead there would be a liquor store near the school plus loading docks near the border with the school.

``There would be increased traffic issues at the entrance to the school.''

The school has children in classes from kindergarten to year 12.

Mr Waters said the land council had conducted the standard early stage planning and research for a concept plan to meet council's zoning requirements, conducted an economic assessment of the viability of a small shopping centre and conducted preliminary community consultation.

``As part of this early phase, Gandangara approached the Education Department to sell some 2350 square metres of adjoining land for potential external, landscaping and car parking space, but this has proved unsuccessful at this stage.''

Gandangara intended to develop and retain the completed project as a long-term asset for recurrent income for the future, Mr Waters said.

Another resident in the area, who did not wish to be identified, said that should the plan be approved there would be more traffic and that Menai Marketplace adequately served shopping needs.

``It'll mean that there's just more empty shops,'' the resident said.

Mr Waters said that Gandangara's activities were unique because it was a self-funding community based Aboriginal organisation serving the needs of its members.