The fate of a new Kingston shopping centre, featuring a Coles supermarket and Chemist Warehouse, will be decided by the Kingborough Council next week.
The Spring Farm Village proposal by Tipalea Partners would transform what is now bushland into a new commercial hub housing 20 various businesses, including a café, takeaway outlets, a medical centre and consulting rooms.
It would also provide 375 car parking spaces, along with motorcycle and bicycle spaces and involve the removal of 120 trees, 28 of which hold high conservation value.
Councillors will consider the $45 million plans at a meeting on Monday night and take into account feedback from just ten public submissions received during the application process.
Some local residents expressed worry about the impact the new shopping centre may have on existing shopping areas in the region, particularly the effect of the supermarket on other businesses.
“Kingborough is sorely lacking entertainment venues such as a theatre, museums, art galleries, arcades, live music and entertainment venues, outdoor fair and festival grounds, local marketplaces, etc,” one person said.
“Young people, especially adolescents, have very few places to go for entertainment and socialisation.”
Another suggested affordable housing and social housing should have been built on the site instead.
Environmental concerns were also raised, particularly regarding the removal of trees and potential harm to local wildlife, including a butterfly species not located on the site during surveys.
Traffic impacts were another issue for some, with locals concerned about the potential for increased congestion on the Channel Highway and the safety of access points to the development.
The council found all of these impacts to be manageable under the planning scheme and recommended the development for approval with conditions.
One of the conditions would require the developer to make a $65,841 payment into Kingborough Council’s Environmental Fund.
The developers are hopeful the council will approve the application so the complex can be opened in early 2026.
