By Jackson Russell
Land will be ready for a new shopping centre to be built in Kilmore’s north, pending rezoning approval by the Minister for Planning.
Mitchell Shire councillors agreed at last Monday night’s council meeting to adopt Planning Scheme Amendment C124, which proposes to re-zone the block of land at 109 Northern Highway and 80 Clarke Street from industrial to commercial.
The planning permit application seeks to develop land for a supermarket, medical centre and retail stores on the 18,000-square metre site.
The centre would be home to a Woolworths supermarket and BWS liquor store along with other retail premises, and located opposite the existing shopping centre which is home to Coles and Aldi.
Central ward councillor Bob Humm said council now had the ‘chance to rezone the land and create something fantastic for Kilmore’.
“Hopefully the next time we discuss this application it’s to approve the planning permits,” he said.
His central ward colleague Annie Goble said while the project wasn’t perfect, it would be a wonderful addition to Kilmore.
“There’s been extensive consideration of this project. It’s not perfect, there are issues with traffic and truck movements and we would’ve like for the creek to be more involved,” she said.
“However, I think this development will be wonderful for Kilmore and shoppers will now have choice.”
North ward councillor Fiona Stevens also spoke positively about the development.
“It’s great to see new development in Kilmore. I’m disappointed with the lack of interfacing with Kilmore Creek but I look forward to the development going ahead and believe it would be a great asset to the community,” she said.
