The review request follows the NSW Department of Planning and Environment’s gateway determination that a change of zoning to B5 business, be refused. It is not the first time that owners of the land have tried to get the zoning changed without success.

Some of the issues raised by NSW Planning were that the proposal did not fit council’s view of Tura Beach as a village and the “primacy role of Bega” which NSW Planning said was a “major regional centre”.

The matter will be taken to the Joint Regional Planning Panel with councillors Robyn Bain and Jo Dodds, attending. Both councillors left the chamber as the matter was discussed.

Councillor Russell Fitzpatrick said he supported the proposal.

“It’s been before council for five years. There was a lack of strategic planning done in 2008; at that time it was never endorsed by council that Bega is the main regional centre and every town has the right to grow in its own right. Tura Beach is the biggest growth residential area in the shire. Woolworths has been a success. It’s a good development that should occur for the shire,” Cr Fitzpatrick said.

But councillor Cathy Griff said she had concerns about it.

“From what I’ve read not much has changed. Staff have twice rejected it and twice it has been rejected by state government and so I think not for light reasons.”

Councillor Sharon Tapscott said the gateway finding was inconsistent.

“Tura Beach is listed as a village but it’s not a village now. The dynamics have changed completely.”

There were also concerns about the site being next to a retirement village, and councillor Liz Seckold said Bunnings didn’t belong there.

The mayor, Kristy McBain supported the motion for a review.

Tura Beach needs to move with the times and we can’t be wedded to strategies that have had their day. It’s all very well for NSW Planning to make decisions but they don’t live here; these strategies are years old.”

And while councillor Tony Allen supported Bega being the regional centre, he said there was a lack of bulky goods space especially in Bega.

“We need Bunnings in the shire but if we can’t find the spot we are creating the problem. In meantime the bus drives on and as the mayor say the place grows. The site may not be ideal but then neither was Woolworths at Bermagui but the places are there now,” Cr Allen said.

Council’s director of planning and environment, Andrew Woodley said that it was council’s submission going to the JRPP which if successful would go as a recommendation to the state government. If the government agrees to let the matter proceed the rezoning would be publicly exhibited and would receive submissions. Only then after a successful rezoning would Bunnings be in a position to lodge a DA as development of this type is currently prohibited on this land, Mr Woodley explained.