Support grows for Kaufland

Readers want German supermarket giant

GEELONG council’s move to oppose the plan by German supermarket giant Kaufland to build a megastore in Highton has sparked the ire of Geelong residents.

Councillors this week voted to oppose plans to build the 6892sq m store on Colac Rd in Highton, citing concerns with a lack of community consultation and the project’s proximity to residential housing.

The proposed megastore would sit on a 19,000sq m block on Colac Rd across from the Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre.

Geelong Advertiser readers this week voiced their anger at council’s opposition to the project.

“The opposition to this decision baffles me,” reader Bianca commented. “I am a local resident and many local residents I have spoken to are very excited about having this store here.”

“I don’t hear noise from Geelong residents, only a council that is almost against everything except planning trees in Malop and Ryrie streets and constraining traffic flow,” reader Karen said.

“State Government will get the final say and hopefully make the right decision,” David Norman said.

“Probably doesn't have enough bike lanes …” Mitch Pentelow said.

The final decision on the proposed supermarket lies with the State Government, as the city is not the planning authority for the proposed planning scheme changes needed to green-light the project.

Earlier this year, the State Planning Minister referred the proposal to a planning committee for independent advice.

The city will now appear before the Kaufland Stores in

Victoria Advisory Committee public hearing to formally present its submission opposing the plan.

The project’s total building area is 1892sq m, including 3781sq m of supermarket floor area, a 319sq m bottle shop, 470sq m of proposed tenancies and a mall area. There will also be 436 carparking spaces.

A planning assessment suggests the store’s establishment will create between 80 and 100 ongoing jobs.