Surf Coast Times
Tuesday 20 July 2010
VOL 8. No 29
www.surfcoasttimes.com.au
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Christmas in July will be celebrated in style next week when Torquay Commerce and Tourism hosts the festive celebration at The Sands, Torquay. The event – to be held on Tuesday, July 27 – is open to all local businesses, with proceeds from the night going to a new truck for the CFA. Gearing up for the festivities were Santa and his helpers – more readily known as Martin Duke, Katrina White and Ferne Millen. For more information or to book tickets, email katrina@whitehillwine.com.au
PEACE DEAL? PHOTO: ELEANOR WOODS
Bunnings submits amended plans as local business leaders prepare to meet this week
BY NATHAN HALE BUNNINGS has taken the first step towards brokering a peace deal with Torquay residents. The hardware and retail giant has lodged amended plans with the Surf Coast Shire in regard to its planned superstore in the West Coast Business Park. Bunnings caused a storm of controversy with local residents and business after it was given the okay to erect signage four times the size allowed under the business park’s planning permits. As part of the conditions of building in the park, companies are not permitted to erect signage bigger than 10 square metres. Bunnings, however, indicated it wanted four to five signs 40 to 50sqm each, complete with its logo.
Surf Forecast
The latest plans, however, show a decrease in the size of the superstore and a decrease in the size of the proposed signage. The revised plans include: • Reducing the overall height of the building by 30 per cent • Reducing the size of signage • Reducing the overall sales area • Modifying the awning over the nursery area. Surf Coast Shire councillor, Rose Hodge, who was one of two councillors – the other being Simon Northeast – who voted against supporting the initial Bunnings signage decision, said she welcomed the change in Bunnings’ plans. “I always welcome when people listen to the community and can change their plans,”
Hodge said. “So congratulations to Bunnings for having the flexibility to change their plans and I thank them for listening to the community. “However, I am yet to see the plans and I am sure there will be other things we need to look at still.” To assist in the planning process, the plans are on display at www.surfcoast.vic.gov.au or at the Planning Counter at Council’s Grossmans Road service centre until Friday, August 6. Members of the public are free to view the plans and make further comments and submissions on the revised plans until the August 6 deadline. Bunnings submitted the revised plans in response to community comment on its proposed development.
As a result of the submission of revised plans, council will seek to consider the initial application and revised plans at its monthly meeting on Wednesday, August 25. All current objections to the application remain in effect unless objectors choose to withdraw them. Council welcomes comments on the revised plans before Friday, August 6, where comments can be sent to info@surfcoast.vic.gov.au before 5pm on that date. Meanwhile, a meeting for local businesses will be held tomorrow night in Torquay to further discuss the impact of Bunnings on Torquay. The meeting – to be held at Jade Chinese Restaurant in Gilbert Street at 6pm – is open to all businesses owners.
WED 2-3ft dropping, S 13° THU 1-3ft weak, SSW 12° FRI 2-3ft building SSE 15° SAT 1-2ft+ small WSW 15°
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