No to $7.9m Kurrajong Shopping Centre as independent Planning Panel votes it down

Plans for a $7.9m Kurrajong Shopping Centre at 87 Bells Line of Rd have been rejected by the independent Hawkesbury Local Planning Panel this afternoon – Thursday – after panel members unanimously said the planned design was “not compatible with the locality”.

Artist’s impression of the now rejected shopping centre…

The decision will be a blow to applicants Kurmond Homes who bought the parcel of land back in April 2021. Bennett Property real estate was asking $790,000 for the plot.

The applicants sought a deferral of their application today to offer some changes to the design but the panel decided to reject the current application.

Panel Chair, David Ryan, said they had decided to refuse it because they agreed with Hawkesbury Council whose staff had looked at the proposal and said they didn’t believe the project should go ahead, citing sewage management – Kurrajong does not have mains sewerage so a go-ahead would mean numerous daily truck movements to remove waste – the building height, which is not in keeping with Kurrajong properties, and issues with parking and traffic, as the building would bring more vehicles into the already bustling village.

Adding to those issues, Chairman Ryan said this afternoon,

“The design of the façade is not compatible with the locality and will have significant negative impact on amenity of adjoining and surrounding buildings”.

“The size and location of the outdoor areas will have unacceptable impact on amenity of the surrounding locality,” he added.

The plan was for a large four-storey building with supermarket, plus several other boutique type shops, a café and restaurants, and parking for 40 cars.

It may not be the end of the story though. If Kurmond Homes decides to revisit the design – as seems likely – they could present another application. They could also appeal the decision but it will be interesting to see how issues like the sewage situation – Kurrajong has no mains sewage – could be solved.

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