Shopping centre plan rejected

Plans for a new shopping centre on a 4.1-hectare block in Joyner have been turned down by Moreton Bay City councillors.

A development application by Lancini Property Group proposed a “full-line supermarket” anchoring a centre on the corner of Youngs Crossing Rd and Gordons Crossing Rd East.

Joyner Central would have “food and drink outlet, health care services, indoor sport and recreation, service industry and veterinary services”.

But councillors voted 8-4 against the plans - and recommendations put forward by officers - at today's full council meeting.

They said the shopping centre was “not consistent with the planning scheme and will have a material impact on the locality – town planning, ecology, flora, amenity, traffic”.

It would also have a “detrimental impact on the local area, residents, noise, lights from vehicles and car park”.

Cr Cath Tonks (Div 9) told the meeting: “I have many concerns with this application”, some of which had been shared by residents.

“I query the economic need with vacant shops nearby, including Kensington Village where there is already an existing Coles supermarket.”

Cr Tonks voiced concerns over traffic, especially during school drop-off and pick-up times at Genesis Christian College, nearby.

Cr Mick Gillam supported his colleague: “In our town plan the corner of Samsonvale Rd, Youngs Crossing Rd and Old North Rd is where the district shopping centre is supposed to be.

“This one is 700m down the road," he said.

“If you look at the Warner shops there’s five tenancies there. Kensington shops four vacant tenancies. Go across the road here (Strathpine) and there’s more vacant tenancies.

“I don’t think there’s a demonstrated need that we need more specialty shopping areas.

“Don’t get me wrong. It’s a beautiful looking shopping centre, it’s just in the wrong place.”

Of 40 public submissions, 27 were against the proposal and 13 supported it.