It’s a case of “three strikes and out” for Woolworths in their long-running quest to open a supermarket and liquor store next to the brick pit development at Kirrawee.
The Sydney South Planning Panel has refused the latest application, which was “upsized” from the previous two plans to include a 90-place childcare centre.
In its decision, published on Thursday, the panel gave two principal reasons for refusal.
The first reason was “the negative impact a further supermarket of the scale proposed would have on surrounding centres, particularly Sutherland”.
The panel said an independent review by a planning consultant to the panel rebutted the fundamental economic assumptions of the applicant’s position.
“The panel is particularly concerned that the proposed development would shift the focus of retailing from Sutherland to Kirrawee, which would be inconsistent with the strategic role of Town centre planned for Sutherland under council’s adopted strategy and its designation as a District Centre under the Draft South District Plan,” the panel said.
The second principal reason for refusal was “the negative impact a further supermarket of the scale, siting and design proposed would have on the existing economic elements, social qualities and physical composition of the existing and planned Kirrawee Village”.
The panel also agreed with other reasons given in the Sutherland Shire Council assessment report, which recommended refusal.
Those reasons included opposition from Sydney Trains because the plans did not allow sufficient area between the back of the building and the railway line for rail line maintenance.
The council report also said police objected because of the likely negative social impacts and the public interest not being served by an additional full service liquor store.
The panel voted 3:1 against the application.
Independent councillor Steve Simpson sided with two non-council members of the panel against the remaining panel member, Liberal councillor Kent Johns.
Cr Johns’s view was another supermarket could be maintained in that area, and he sought to have the decision deferred until concerns were addressed by the applicant.
Woolworths has been trying for four years to set up a supermarket in Flora Street, next to South Village.
Its first DA was rejected by the Joint Regional Planning Panel in 2014.
A revised DA followed, but was withdrawn before the council rejected it.
In an unusual twist, Payce, which is developing the shopping centre component of South Village, then joined forces with Woolworths in the third, and enlarged proposal which included a childcare centre.
Payce bought properties, 24-38 Flora Street, on condition Woolworths would lease spaces for a supermarket and Dan Murphy’s liquor store.
