Update
Sutherland Shire Council has given the go-ahead for detailed discussions on Woolworths' proposal to purchase and develop the council-owned car park at Jannali.
The proposal, which could include a new commuter car park, was referred to a confidential session of the council on Monday night.
Mayor Carmelo Pesce said after the meeting councillors had given the go-ahead for staff to "talk to Woolworths and see exactly what their proposal involves".
Cr Pesce said there was no discussion.
Meanwhile, Woolworths is revealing little about its proposal.
The Leader sought further information, including whether a residential component was envisaged.
Woolworths head of property development, Andrew Loveday, replied in a statement: "The vision and concepts we have presented to council are preliminary only and, outside of plans for a full-line supermarket, are not fixed.
"Our ambition is that any future development both respects the preferences of residents, and also helps deliver on the needs of the local area," he said.
Update - November 18, 2019
Woolworths says its proposal to purchase and develop the council-owned car park at Jannali can help reinvigourate the commercial precinct and deliver a vibrant hub for the local community.
The proposal is being considered in conjunction with a state government election promise to build a 200 space, multi-level car park at Jannali.
Woolworths head of property development, Andrew Loveday, said the company "presented to council a vision and preliminary concepts for our land holdings, which includes a potential partnership opportunity with council utilising the existing council car park".
"We believe our proposal, which has the potential to include the provision of additional commuter car parking, can assist in the reinvigoration of the commercial precinct and deliver a vibrant hub for the local community," he said.
"We look forward to engaging with council and the community on next steps."
Miranda MP Eleni Petinos said the state government was continuing to investigate a range of sites to deliver the Jannali commuter car park election commitment.
"Delivering this project for Jannali is a top priority and we will work together with other stakeholders to ensure the best outcome for our community is achieved," she said.
Update - November 18, 2019
A proposal by Woolworths to purchase and develop the council car park at Jannali is being considered in conjunction with a state government election promise for commuter parking.
Woolworths has put a proposal to Sutherland Shire Council, and the matter will be considered in a confidential session at the monthly meeting tonight (Monday).
Mayor Carmelo Pesce said the parties were simply talking at this stage, but the proposal could revitalise the area.
"Woolworths approached us and said they had acquired a number of strip shops and they may have an interest in redeveloping the council car park," he said.
Woolworths owns the adjoining Flemings supermarket property in Box Road.
Cr Pesce said Transport for NSW was also looking at the car park site because of the 2019 election promise by Premier Gladys Berejiklian, with Miranda MP Eleni Petinos, to build a $17 million, 200 space commuter car park at Jannali.
"We are working together to see if we can deliver a satisfactory outcome," he said.
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Earlier - November 18, 2019
The struggling Jannali shopping centre could be in for a huge boost, with supermarket giant Woolworths seeking to purchase and develop the council-owned car park.
Woolworths owns the adjoining Flemings supermarket, which is a throwback to a bygone era and the last of a chain acquired by the supermarket giant in the 1960s.
Woolworths has put a proposal to Sutherland Shire Council and the matter will be considered in a confidential session at the monthly meeting tonight (Monday).
The agenda for the meeting includes the item, "Proposal from Woolworths to purchase and develop council car park".
No details were given.
The item was accompanied by the standard explanation for the confidential nature of deliberations:
"This matter is being considered in closed session as it relates to a proposal for the sale or purchase of land where prior knowledge of this proposal could confer an unfair financial advantage on any person.
"On balance, the public interest in preserving the confidentiality of information about the reserve price outweighs the public interest in maintaining openness and transparency in council decision-making because the disclosure of this information would put the council at a competitive disadvantage in its negotiations with a prospective purchaser, preventing it from achieving a 'best value for money' outcome for the community."
After considering the matter, the council can choose whether to make details public immediately or continue private negotiations until a resolution is put in open session.
The Jannali store, which is believed to have been constructed, in the 1950s, was part of the Flemings chain acquired by Woolworths in 1960.
It is very inadequate when compared with modern supermarkets, but the limited site made redevelopment difficult without amalgamation with adjoining properties.
The shopping strip has struggled in recent years, with a growing number of vacant shops.
The opening of South Village at Kirrawee a year ago delivered another major blow.
While seemingly ignoring its Jannali store, Woolworths has been busy at other locations in Sutherland Shire.
Woolworths will be an anchor tenant in the Bay Central shopping centre in Woolooware Bay Town Centre.
Court approval has also been given for a Woolworths supermarket, liquor store and childcare centre in Flora Street, next to South Village, Kirrawee.
This project, which was proposed in partnership by South Village developer Payce and Woolworths, has not yet progressed.
The company was less successful in attempting to establish a supermarket and liquor store in Parraweena Road, Miranda.
The regional planning panel rejected a bid to rezone the site, which is in the Taren Point industrial area.
