Page 1498 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 9 May 2017
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expect with a case that has gone on for so long, the community has many views and opinions on what should happen.
I have heard a range of these views, including, “We need a supermarket and it needs to be 1,500 square metres.” “We need a supermarket and I don’t care what size it is.” “I don’t really mind about a supermarket but I’d love a cafe.” And, “We just need something there that gives the community a place to come together.” But most often I hear, “We just want to know what is going on.”
My reason for rising today is to put on the record for the residents of Giralang an update on where the redevelopment of the shops is up to. In September 2016, and after countless appeal of appeal of appeal, the parties to the legal proceedings, being the owner of the Giralang shops site and the three surrounding supermarket operators who brought the court action, reached an out-of-court settlement. With this settlement, the legal action that has prevented the redevelopment of the site for so long has ceased and the site owner is able to progress with the development.
Given the community’s desire to see the progression of the shops redevelopment, and the fact that the developer is responsible for undertaking this development, I recently sought a meeting with the site owner. I called the meeting to put to the owner all the views the community had shared with me. I told the owner of the site, first and foremost, “Giralang residents want action on this development. Residents want the redevelopment to include a supermarket. If the redevelopment can also include a cafe then that is even better. And residents of Giralang want to be informed and included in what is happening as the development progresses.”
Following my comments the owner assured me that he is, and I quote, “re-energised and committed to seeing the redevelopment progress.” I am glad the owner of the site wants to progress the redevelopment. But, as I pointed out to the owner, while this sentiment is appreciated, it needs to be backed up with actions. I asked him what he is doing to progress the redevelopment. The owner told me he needs to secure a supermarket tenant in order to begin the development. He said he is approaching potential supermarket operators at this point in time and seeking to finalise a tenancy agreement out of those discussions. He also told me a new development application for the redevelopment would have to be submitted and approved and that once these two things were done the building works could begin.
Following these comments I requested that the owner work with the community as the redevelopment progresses, keeping them updated on his efforts to secure a tenant and the finalisation of the development application. At the end of the meeting I reiterated to the owner of the site that the Giralang community wants this development finalised. As one resident put it to me, “When we do get the shops, there is going to be one hell of a party on opening day.”
Have your say website
MR RATTENBURY (Kurrajong) (5.32): Recently the Leader of the Opposition launched a new website, haveyoursay.net.au, a mechanism he stated would provide new opportunities for the Liberal Party to hear community views. Surely this is a good
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