The Stephen Ward Rooms were packed to capacity on Thursday afternoon for an extraordinary meeting of Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A large portion of the crowd was there to support a proposed hardware store in Cootamundra get off the ground.
The location of the the proposed store is the corner of Wallendoon and Hovell Streets, opposite Thompson’s Rural Supplies.
Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council staff had recommended the proposed store be refused development consent, citing a number of shortcomings in the application put forward by Colin Blake.
Councillors disagreed however, with deputy mayor Dennis Palmer immediately introducing a motion that if the development is permitted with council consent, the General Manager will prepare a Notice of Approval for the application for the next council meeting on October 31.
This was seconded by Charlie Sheahan and received majority support when put to a vote.
Absent from the meeting was Craig Stewart, who is employed by existing hardware store in Cootamundra Mitre 10 and thus declared a non-pecuniary interest, and Leigh Bowden, who was in Sydney.
In a letter to the council, Cr Stewart declared he was in favour of new development and business in the Local Government Area.
Cr Palmer acknowledged that staff had prepared the instrument for refusal in accordance with adopted council policy and guidelines, however felt this could be varied in particular circumstances.
“We have been elected to look after the future of our towns and we must be proactive," Cr Palmer said.
“Common sense, enthusiasm and assistance in all areas must be applied to all applicants,” he continued.
Cr Palmer said a newly developed side would be better than the current building.
He also argued the car parking code could be altered subject to Traffic Committee approval.
“This council needs to be a ‘can-do’ facilitator, rather than a ‘can’t do’ authority,” Cr Palmer said.
In his first term on council, Gil Kelly agreed a level of tolerance is needed regarding car parking requirements.
“You only have to look across the road to Thompson’s Rural Supplies to see that they rely on street parking, as do the majority of businesses in town,” Cr Kelly said.
“I believe our charter as a new council is to help facilitate growth in the area; our decision here tonight will go a long way to set the platform for the next three years as a proactive and can-do council,” Cr Kelly continued.
Doug Phillips held concerns the incomplete application may lead to legal ramifications for council and was the only councillor not to vote for Cr Palmer’s motion.
“It isn’t about not giving a young couple a go, it’s about protecting us all,” Cr Phillips said.
“I have no issue with the hardware store, I think it would be good competition for Mitre 10,” Cr Phillips continued, however stated the incomplete application should not have even been discussed by councillors.
He held concerns the notification to neighbours requirement had not been met due to the time frames associated with the application.
“We have been to the Land and Environment Court because councillors voted with their heart, not their head,” Cr Phillips said.
Cr Sheahan argued the staff should be more proactive at working through the development process with interested applicants.
“To people not experienced with development applications, it can be daunting and confronting and can turn people away,” Cr Sheahan said.
Mayor Abb McAlister stated that council must always be on the front foot when it comes to development before declaring his support for the hardware store, while Penny Nicholson said council has to encourage industry.
A spokesperson for Mr Blake, the development applicant, stated after the meeting that he has no concerns with meeting any legal requirements and is looking forward to the October 31 meeting.