Response to Information Request 5-7 Rufous Street Peregian Beach MCU13/0092

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                      . the closure and abandonment of the                               Peregian
                            Bowls Club in about 2010;
                      . the establishment of thePeregian Beach Tavern
                        on  the western side of the David Low Way
                        opposite the neighbourhood centre;
                      . the establishment of the mixed commercial                             use

                        development        on     the north side of Heron Street
                        opposite the neighbourhood centre;
                      . the establishment of the commercial "Marquesas"
                        development on the western side of the David
                        Low   Way   immediately  adjacent    to  the
                        abandoned Bowls Club site; and
                      . the more recent approval for the closure of the
                            Friendly Grocer premises in the neighbourhood
                        centre and its conversion to                      a     Restaurant and
                          market stall   type development                       at    ground level
                        with offices above.


          All   of   these    developments         are        outside           the    designated
          neighbourhood centre zone.

E.S 7     Whilst the Character Statement narrative for Peregian Beach
          at the beginning of the Eastern Beaches Locality Plan states,
          inter alia, "Peregian Beach in the south serves a significant role
          in    providing    local   convenience  shopping, (our emphasis)
          business and   community services", close examination of the
          patronage and function of the Village Square (neighbourhood
          centre) indicates that the local convenience shopping facilities
          are limited (relatively insignificant), and certainly not providing

          a  ’wide range of local retail uses’, particularly once the
          Friendly Grocer premise is re-developed.
E.S 8     The actual function of the neighbourhood centre is clearly that
          of a highly successful and relatively unique entertainment,
          dining and social meeting place for local residents and visitors,
          a fact confirmed by 72 % of local residents in response to a

          recent independent Survey         This in fact may be part of the
                                              .




          reason  for the proposed    closure  of the Friendly Grocer and its
          replacement by a Restaurant and small market stalls in that the
          owner of the premise is aware that the neighbourhood village

          centre functions as an entertainment/dining/social centre and
          not as a true convenience shopping centre.
E.S 9     In relation to the establishment of commercial developments
          outside designated town and village centres the following
          Planning & Environment Court determinations are of relevance,
          namely:



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