Geelong Council to consider Permit for a Coles Supermarket in Drysdale next to Aldi

Geelong Council will consider a permit from Coles to build a new supermarket in Murradoc Road Drysdale next door to Aldi this Tuesday night (22 April 2014).

Road congestion will reign supreme even more so than it does now - can't see the need for another supermarket - the dollar on spreads so far.

Below is the summary from the Council's agenda document which is in pdf format. The agenda item had detailed information - just follow this link.

Amendment C297 And Permit 765/2013 – Proposed Coles   Supermarket On Murradoc Road, Drysdale

Portfolio: Planning - Cr Heagney
Source Planning and Tourism - Strategic Implementation
General Manager: Peter Bettess
Index Reference Council Reports 2014

Purpose

This report seeks Council approval to exhibit a combined planning scheme amendment and permit to facilitate the development of a supermarket on Murradoc Road, Drysdale.

Summary

• A planning scheme amendment request and planning permit application was made by ERM Australia on behalf of Coles Group Property for land at 24-32 Murradoc Road, Drysdale.
• The amendment proposes to rezone 32 Murradoc Road from the Commercial 2 Zone to the Commercial 1 Zone. The remainder of the subject land is presently in the Commercial 1 Zone.
• The permit application (765/2013) is for buildings and works to construct a supermarket, the display of identification signage, a reduction of car parking requirements, the alteration of access to a road in a Road Zone Category 1 and to create a carriageway easement.
• The proposed supermarket has a total floor area of 3,892 sq metres, is of contemporary design and provides good connectivity with the adjacent ALDI store. Vehicle access is from Murradoc Road and a dedicated pedestrian path will connect the newly developing residential estate to the south, through the site, to Murradoc Road.
• The proposal is supported by Council's adopted Drysdale Urban Design Framework August 2012, which identifies the site for a supermarket.
• Relevant to the consideration of this application is the likely opening date of the supermarket and how this would impact on the nearby Jetty Road Neighbourhood Activity Centre, where a 3,200 sq metre Woolworths supermarket is to be constructed and operational by April 2015.
• The economic assessment submitted as part of the Amendment request concluded that the economic and social benefits from the Coles supermarket significantly outweigh any impacts on commercial competitors. The assessment however failed to factor-in the new Jetty Road Centre (instead expecting it to be developed over the medium to long term).
• Council officers commissioned consultant Tim Nott to provide an independent review of the likely economic impact of the proposal.
• The review clearly demonstrates that if the two supermarkets are developed as planned, the food and grocery segment throughout the trade area is likely to experience a very low level of turnover. Mr Nott finds that there is likely to be room for two supermarkets by the mid-2020s, in line with expected population growth.
• Mr Nott estimates that the Jetty Road NAC would suffer a significant loss of around 16% in total retail sales compared with what is currently anticipated. It would appear that both Coles and Woolworths are well aware of the likely economic challenges over the coming 10 year period, but still committed to establishing new supermarkets in the locality as soon as possible.
• The net community benefit of the proposed Coles, particularly in strengthening the role of the Drysdale Town Centre and improving the level of competition in the local food and grocery sector, is considered to outweigh the short to medium term negative impact on the Jetty Road NAC and potential reorganisation of retail space in the trade area.
• It is recommended that the Amendment be placed on public exhibition to allow interested parties, including other business owners and operators in the trade area, an opportunity to make submissions.

Recommendation

That Council resolves to:
1) support the preparation and exhibition of Amendment C297 to the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme to rezone the land at 32 Murradoc Road, Drysdale, from the Commercial 2 Zone to the Commercial 1 Zone;
2) consider the application for a planning permit for a Coles supermarket on the land at 24-26, 28-30 and 32 Murradoc Road, Drysdale, concurrently with the preparation of the Amendment in accordance with the Planning and Environment Act, and that draft Planning Permit 765/2013 be prepared and exhibited with the Amendment, subject to resolution of the detail of the permit conditions; and
3) request the Minister for Planning to authorise the preparation and exhibition of Amendment C297 and Planning Permit 765/2013.

McHarrys Bus Depot Permit Application before Geelong Council on Tuesday 22 April

At the Geelong Council meeting on Tuesday 22 April 2014 the Council will consider the planning permit for McHarrys Buslines in Murradoc Road and an amendment for the Drysdale Urban Design Framework to enable the planning permit to be considered. As there are objections to the permit, Council will be referring this to an independent panel to resolve.

Council believes adopting the Drysdale Urban Design Framework provides a strong policy basis for the rezoning of the land along Murradoc Road, up to the Drysdale Bypass route, to Commercial 2 zone. This affects both sides of Murradoc Road including on the south side two small rural holdings either side of Clarendon Road.

Below is the summary from the Council's agenda document which is in pdf format still and over 13mb in size.

Combined Amendment C283 Drysdale Urban Design Framework/Permit 1060/2013 McHarrys Buslines – Consideration of Submissions

Portfolio: Planning - Cr Heagney
Source Strategic Implementation
General Manager: Peter Bettess
Index Reference Subject – Council Reports 2014 - Application C283

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to enable Council to consider submissions to combined Planning Scheme Amendment C283 Drysdale Urban Design Framework and Planning Permit Application1060/2013 for McHarrys Buslines, 97-105 Murradoc Rd, Drysdale.

Summary

• Combined Amendment C283 and Permit 1060/2013 proposes to introduce a number of Ordinance and Zone changes to the Planning Scheme to reflect the recommendations of the adopted Drysdale Urban Design Framework (UDF) and enable McHarrys to establish a bus depot at 97-105 Murradoc Rd, Drysdale.
• The Drysdale UDF applies to the Drysdale town centre and immediately surrounding land. The Amendment updates the Municipal Strategic Statement, introduces Commercial 1 & 2 zones in Murradoc Road and Collins Street and applies new Design and Development Overlays over the town centre commercial areas to reflect the recommendations of the UDF.
• Permit 1060/2013 which accompanies the amendment would enable McHarrys to establish a new bus depot on a 1.2 hectare property (to be rezoned Commercial 2) at 97-105 Murradoc Road, Drysdale. This property is occupied by a detached house and some scattered vegetation.
• Amendment C283 was placed on public exhibition from 23 January 2014 until 24 February 2014. A total of nine submissions have been received of which six either support or offer no objection and three of which object to parts of the amendment and/or draft permit.
• Two submissions (one objecting) have been made about the provisions of the new Design and Development Overlays, in particular DDO33 as it applies to land at 26-32 Murradoc Road on which a new Coles supermarket is being proposed. These Overlays have received wide community acceptance and this report argues there is no justification for changes to be made to the exhibited provisions.
• There is one supporting submission and two objecting submissions to the McHarrys bus depot which essentially request that no permit issue. However given that the proposed Commercial 2 zoning of this part of Murradoc Road is consistent with the recommendations of the UDF, refusal of the permit would be difficult to justify. One of these submitters also objects to the proposed Commercial 2 zoning in Murradoc Road.
• In such circumstances where submissions are unable to be resolved, Council must refer them to an Independent Panel to be appointed by the Minister for Planning.

Recommendation

That Council having considered all submissions to Amendment C283 to the

Greater Geelong Planning Scheme resolves to:

1) Request the Minister for Planning appoint an Independent Panel under part 8 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987.

2) Refer all submissions to the Panel; and

3) Submit to the Panel its response to the submissions generally as outlined in this report.

Showjumping comes to Drysdale Easter Sunday and Monday

Drysdale Leopold Pony Club is hosting its annual showjumping carnival this Easter Sunday and Monday at Lake Lorne Reserve in Drysdale.

Sunday is an open competition and Freshmans show jumping is available - You can enter on the day - $5 per round - PLUS $4 FOLLR Facility Fee per combination per day (covers both Freshmans and Open). This ring will start at 10.00am at 35cm (may be led) and will progress in 10cm intervals
All clear rounds in Freshmans will receive an Easter Egg.

There is an open AM7 competition starting at 50cm, and going up to 60cm, 70cm, 80cm and 90cm classes - If time/entries permit, the heights may go up.

Ribbons will be awarded to 4th place. Prize money – 1st $15, 2nd $10, 3rd $5. There must be at least four entries in the class before prize money will be awarded.

A Judge’s Award will be made for the – 60cm class only – awarded by the judge to the combination that doesn’t necessarily win but shows excellent skill, sportsmanship and presentation. Rug is proudly sponsored by AVERY EARTHMOVING.

On Monday is Round 3 of the PCAV Barwon Zone BEST competition.

Full canteen is available on both days.

So come and ride or come and cheer our local riders on.