Traffic issues highlighted as plans for Woolworths development and commuter car park at Jannali move forward

Sutherland Shire Local Planning Panel found, subject to issues being addressed, the Planning Proposal was "well founded, has both strategic and site specific merit" and was consistent with state government planning policies and ministerial directions.

The recommendation that the proposal be forwarded to the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes for Gateway determination will be rubber-stamped at the May council meeting.

The main matters raised by the panel relate to the implications for traffic generation, the need to ensure that the level of parking provision related to the existing floor space of the centre is maintained, and whether it is possible to facilitate off peak use of the commuter car park by local shoppers.

"Appropriate arrangements should be be made early in the development application process to secure the funding arrangements for the required works, in particular the infrastructure upgrade of the railway bridge and associated intersections," the panel said in its written decision.

The majority of the panel questioned the need for three access points from Box Road, and emphasised the need to provide within any future development of the site, a substantial area of public domain, of a size commensurate with the future scale of development within the centre.

The panel said the public domain area should be significantly larger than the 20 metres by 20 metres proposed in a concept plan, and should have clear visual and pedestrian access from Box Road.

The main elements of the Planning Proposal - rezoning the land from SP1 Car Park to B2 Local Centre, applying floor space ratio of 2:1 and excluding the floor area associated with a 200 space commuter car park from the calculation of gross floor area - were considered to have have sufficient merit to warrant referral for a Gateway determination.

"Transport for NSW has made a commitment to deliver a 200 space commuter car park on the site...by 2024," the panel said.

"It is council's view that the Box Road property has strategic potential to help revitalise the centre because it can be combined with adjoining properties to realise an integrated development and provide a new focus for the centre.

"The panel agrees that, while Jannali is a small local centre, it has strategic advantages, but lacks a large supermarket and most residents choose to shop at the supermarkets at Sutherland, Kirrawee or Kareela.

"Accordingly it is council's aim is to build on Jannali's strengths and create a focus where residents can shop and meet locally

"At present the planning framework does not support this outcome because the car park is zoned SP1 Car Park.

"Rezoning to B2 Local Centre, consistent with the adjoining land, is required to make shops and residential flats permissible.

"It is also recommended that the car park be given a FSR of 2:1 consistent with the B2 zone.

"Given that the car park will be largely underground, the panel agrees that a local provision excluding 200 car spaces from the calculation of floor space can be accommodated without compromising height and scale of the building."