MCU14/0106 Submission PM Object - Rob Dick

Subject: Submission re proposed expansion of the Noosa Civic shopping centre
From: Rob Dick
Date: 2015-07-20T01:57:18+00:00
To: Mailbox Council Mail

To whom it may concern,
Noosa Council.

Please accept this email as a submission opposing the proposed expansion of the Noosa Civic shopping centre.

I live and do most of my shopping in Noosa Junction and I am opposed to the proposed expansion of Noosa Civic shopping centre because I believe it would have a negative and detrimental impact on existing businesses, employment and tourism in Noosa generally and in Noosa Junction in particular, with the existing Target store relocating the the Noosa Civic.

I cannot see that there is any evidence that more retail space is needed in Noosa. There is already plenty of retail competition and choice for consumers in Noosa and there are already many local retailers who are struggling to make ends meet.

Local businesses employ local people and use local suppliers. I am not convinced that the type of big companies and franchise retailers who are likely to set up in an expanded Noosa Civic will do the same.

A lot of time, money and energy has been devoted to trying to enliven precincts like Noosa Junction and attract locals and tourists to shop and socialise in these precincts. The proposed expansion of Noosa Civic shopping centre will only attract people away from local shopping precincts like the Junction, making these areas less vibrant, and will create more competition and more pressure on existing businesses.

As I understand it, the large increase in retail shopping space that would be created by the proposed expansion of Noosa Civic shopping centre may not be consistent with the Noosa Planning Scheme and this, in itself, should be sufficient grounds for rejecting the proposal.

For the sake of existing Noosa businesses and their employees and families I urge Council to reject or at least curtail the proposed expansion of Noosa Civic shopping centre.

Rob Dick.
17 Sarah Court
Noosa Heads 4567
Ph. 0430 184 448