Time is running out on the proposed Aldi development in Merimbula as the option to purchase the land in Main Street expires 42 days after council’s notice of determination which was on July 12.
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That clock runs out next Thursday, August 23.
If the contract remains unsigned council will be at liberty to place the land back on the market.
At the last council meeting August 8, councillors considered the developer’s request to “reduce the Section 94 fees by taking into consideration additional work that has been undertaken, in excess of the DA requirements”.
Council staff’s report says the developers requested the s94A developer contribution of $76,203.27 be waived on a number of public benefit grounds including the provision of additional car parking, the service road to be constructed to allow traffic to be removed from Main Street, Merimbula, the provision of pedestrian access through the development at the request of council led to a modification of plans and council’s request for traffic mitigation measures to be put in place on Main Street, Merimbula to prevent traffic turning to the right across oncoming traffic which is an existing traffic management issue.
One of the options open to councillors was to vote for a $15,000 reduction. Council staff recommended that council approve this reduction to recognise the voluntary public benefit contribution made in modifying plans to accommodate a pedestrian thoroughfare and the provision of a traffic management median strip on Main Street, Merimbula.
Councillor Russell Fitzpatrick said that while he was as keen as anyone to have Aldi in the shire, he believed council had been more than welcoming to Aldi.
“It was 20 months ago we entered into a contract to sell the land and during that time I am sure property prices in Merimbula have risen. We tried to do something over Christmas to alleviate parking (with Aldi on the land concerned) but negotiations were a no. Council has been more than fair. For 20 months we have waited patiently,” he said.
Cr Fitzpatrick said Aldi was aware of council’s developer fees from the start of contract negotiations. Developer fees are one per cent of the cost of the development.
The mayor Kristy McBain wanted to see a reduction of $15,000 for Aldi. “It was the recommendation of staff but unfortunately councillors didn’t see the benefit for the public,” Cr McBain said.
Crs Tapscott and McBain wanted to see the fee reduced for Aldi but were outvoted by Crs Allen, Seckold, Griff, Nadin, Bain, Dodds and Fitzpatrick.
