Update on Rozelle Bunnings proposal

Monday 17 September 2018

On Thursday 13 September 2018 the Land and Environment Court held the s34 conciliation for the "Bunnings proposal" for 2 to 8A Parsons Street, Rozelle. The applicant has lodged an appeal against the Council's deemed refusal of this application for a Bunnings site (Artazan Property Group Pty Limited v Inner West Council).

The matter commenced on site at 9.30am. Over 100 residents attended, and the Court heard from five speakers who had asked to address the Court.

Following the taking of evidence from the public, the Commissioner made a short inspection of the site and its surrounds, following which the parties returned to the Court for the compulsory conciliation.

The discussions that took place then are confidential and are covered by s34 (10A), (10B), (11), and (12) of the Land and Environment Court Act 1979, and Council is unable to share those discussions with its ratepayers.

The Council presses its contentions as set out in our Statement of Facts and Contentions (SOFAC); and the applicant has sought additional time to produce evidence which they believe will assuage the Council’s concerns with the proposal.

At this point, Council's concerns as specified in the SOFAC are effectively twofold: the proposal is for a flood prone site and the measures proposed to deal with flooding are inadequate; and the parking and traffic impacts for a Bunnings are so overwhelming to the local roads network that the proposal should be refused.

The Commissioner made orders that the s34 is continued and that one of two things will happen: either a s34 agreement approving the scheme will be presented to the Court by 9 October 2018, or failing that, the matter will be set down for hearing, most likely in March or April next year.

Unfortunately Council cannot share plans or information with the public until the s34 process is completed. Council will report back to the public on this website once the process is completed