State Government will join appeal on Coomera retail development: Fraser

The State Government has joined a legal action against a major retail shopping centre in the Gold Coast Hinterland area, Local Government and Planning Minister Andrew Fraser announced today.

Mr Fraser said the Office of Urban Management will be responsible for running the appeal against the shopping centre proposed by Macquarie Leisure Enterprises on land south of Foxwell Road at Coomera.

He said a development application by MLE was refused by the Gold Coast City Council on July 21 on the grounds the proposal would seriously undermine the planning intent for the proposed Coomera Town Centre.

“I’ve made this decision on the basis that the application is inconsistent with the South East Queensland Regional Plan and would compromise the planning outcomes for the Coomera Town Centre major development area,” Mr Fraser said.

“The Office of Urban Management will be responsible for the appeal on behalf of the State Government because it administers the SEQ Regional Plan.

“Coomera is the Gold Coast’s next big growth area and it’s critical we get the planning and development for the area right.

“Ultimately this area will be home to an estimated 70,000 people and will evolve into one of the coast’s biggest satellite cities and this proposal is not in the spirit of sound forward planning.”

Mr Fraser said the Gold Coast City Council had identified the northern side of Foxwell Road as the area best suited to any large scale retail development for several reasons including the fact it offers better access to the railway station and is better suited for traffic and pedestrian flow.

Media Contact: Chris Taylor 3227 8825 or 0419 710 874
September 22 2006