New shopping centre for Burpengary East

A new shopping centre with a supermarket, gym, veterinary surgery and food outlets will be built at Burpengary East.

Moreton Bay Regional Council approved the application by the Wolter Consulting Group on behalf of owners Wade Foster, Mary Thomas and Geoffrey Feldman to develop a site at the corner of Buckley and Uhlmann roads at its May 18 meeting.

Division 2 Councillor Mark Booth welcomed the application, saying he had spoken with many community members about the proposal, and that it would generate a significant number of local jobs.

“As the local Councillor I have had a large number of community members approach me supporting the shopping centre (but) I have also had a number of concerns raised,” Cr Booth said.

“I am impressed with the fact that in the economic report there would be over 200 jobs for the community.”

Concerns raised

More than 20 people made submissions to Council about the application, with some in support and others concerned about the impact of a large development in a rural residential area and about the effect on traders at The Hub shopping centre, which is opposite.

In her submission, Gaye Byron said there were five other supermarkets nearby and another was not necessary.

“We bought acreage for a reason and that is rapidly being taken away from us for a few individuals who want every convenience at their fingertips especially when there are numerous options just five minutes away,” Ms Byron wrote.

Lena Fayad, whose family entity owns one lot at The Hub, raised concerns about traffic generated by a new centre and said it would pose a major threat to the livelihood of existing businesses.

“In particular, the supermarket and cafes would face a tremendous challenge to compete with a big name supermarket and other big name brands who will be located in a ‘shiny’ new building,” Ms Fayad said.

Demand exists

A report by Council officers said with a 1600-lot development at nearby North Harbour the area could sustain another supermarket and other small businesses.

“An Economic Need and Impact Assessment (ENIA) Report has been prepared and submitted in association with the development application,” the report said.

“(It) states that taking into account population and retail spending growth, a substantial demand exists to support the proposed Burpengary East Shopping Centre and facilitation of the creation of a wider Burpengary East Local Centre precinct.”

The proposal also includes a landscaped plaza, outdoor dining and installing traffic lights on Buckley Rd.

Councillor Adam Hain (Div 3) supported the proposal, saying it would ease traffic on local roads.

“It’s really taking a lot of pressure off the local road network,” he said.

“It just stops people having to drive all the way to Morayfield to do their shopping or get their petrol.”

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