Coolum IGA plans blocked
Thu 22 June 2006
Sarah Rex, Journalism
More than two years ago IGA owners Mel and Gill Luke planned to develop a new shopping centre in Coolum, but these plans have recently been blocked.
Mr and Mrs Luke hoped to redevelop a commercial site behind the existing Coolum Village Shopping Centre and adjacent to the Coolum Pub. The proposed development was to be a ground level shopping centre with an extensive parking area.
Three objections were made to the development of this site, but were later reconciled and dropped. When the objection period ended in May 2006 the development of the site was to continue with no further objections. Earthworks were set to start the development in May this year but this was not to be. Two other objections were made, putting a halt to the development once again.
The developer of the site is said to be frustrated by Maroochy Shire Council listening to objections made by residents outside the specified time frame.
Mrs Luke said she thinks that it would be bad for the community if the development was not to go ahead. She believes that if the shopping centre was not built then it would give way to a three-storey unit complex with underground parking which would have a high impact on the village atmosphere of Coolum.
She said she fears that the development would never go ahead if the objections, albeit late, were not solved immediately.
Mrs Luke has started a petition in her store to show that the majority of Coolum residents want the new development.
Mrs Luke will present this petition to the Maroochy Shire Council.
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