Case stated for proposal
A DEVELOPER and Coles wanting to build more shops in Rasmussen have highlighted support for their proposal as Townsville City Council is understood to be set to reject it.
It comes as the nearby Woolworths-anchored Riverway Plaza is being expanded and another developer, Riverstone, is appealing the council’s decision to refuse its shopping centre application.
Brisbane-based East Coast Invest has proposed its shopping centre on residential land at the corner of Riverway and Santal Drive and the application is due to be decided this month. East Coast Invest representative Matt Southwell was unsure what the council would decide but said the community support for its proposal had been overwhelming.
Upper Ross residents wanted more jobs, better services and access to more retail facilities, Mr Southwell said.
“They believe the proposed Riverview Village Shopping Centre will provide muchneeded increases in retail and medical offerings with a number of tenant precommitments, all of which will improve the local amenity available for all residents,” Mr Southwell said.
“We’ve received 100 per cent support for the project from community groups in the Upper Ross, with both Community Grow and the Upper Ross Community Voice making submissions to council in support of the project, with support also coming from Townsville Chamber of Commerce.”
A spokeswoman for Coles said their state-of-the-art supermarket in Riverway Village would create more than 100 new retail jobs and provide an enhanced, convenient shopping destination.
Deputy Mayor Les Walker said the application was going through “due processes” and would be considered at the planning committee meeting of the council next week.
The East Coast proposal is sited north of Riverway Plaza, meaning it can capture more traffic as people return home in the afternoon from work.
The rejected Riverstone shopping centre is on land in its residential project at 127 Allambie Lane. The council said the scale, nature and location of the Riverstone proposal was contrary to the strategic framework of the city plan and would adversely impact Rasmussen Plaza.