Denmark shopping centre stalls

The proposed $7 million shopping centre development in Denmark has stalled after an independent board declined to give planning approval last week.

The Great Southern Joint Development Assessment Panel voted to reject the plans by IGA owner Metcash on Wednesday afternoon.

Metcash has the option of appealing to the State Administrative Tribunal or can re-apply to the panel with updated plans.

There were a number of reasons for the project’s refusal, including the building’s design and not enough of a buffer zone between the proposed supermarket and Amaroo Retirement Village.

Denmark Shire president Ross Thornton said although the plan was viewed to not be an appropriate commercial design under the Denmark Town Planning Scheme, he hoped Metcash would come back with a revised proposal.

Proponent planning consultant Angus Rutherford said the panel’s decision was disappointing.

“We are still waiting to see the JDAP meeting’s minutes, until we have a chance to see those and consider them carefully, its premature to say what our next step is going to be,” he said.

“We need to see the detailed wording, exactly what JDAP had to say.”

Denmark Chamber of Commerce and Industry business manager Liz Jack said developers and the council needed to work together with the community for everybody to get the best outcome.

“From the chamber of commerce’s perspective, we recognise that there is going to be increasing number of applicants wanting to develop in Denmark,” she said.

“It’s an attractive place to develop and there’s lots of growth potential.

“Our position at this point is that we support the council’s desire to have good quality development that adheres to the town planning system.”

Mrs Jack said the Denmark community needed to think creatively and work with developers about the style of development the Denmark population wanted.