MOORABOOL councillors have clashed over the future of the shire’s retail industry.
The council has approved rezoning of a two-hectare patch, from residential to business, making way for a West Maddingley neighbourhood activity centre.
But West Moorabool ward’s Cr Tom Sullivan and Woodlands ward’s Cr Pat Toohey fear it could fragment Bacchus Marsh’s retail sector.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS STORY TO POST A COMMENT.
“Is it the best way [forward]?” Cr Sullivan said. “What effect will this have on the centre of the town here?
If that [West Maddingley retail development] doesn’t end up as competition, then I don’t know what’s going on.”
Cr Toohey feared a retail duplication could kill business on Main Street.
“It will have a huge impact on their viability,” he said. “It’s like it will be another community [at West Maddingley].”
But East Moorabool ward’s
Cr Michael Tudball said the future growth of West Maddingley required more services.
“We need to provide services on that side of town. I think it’s going to free up Main Street,” he said.
Main Street businessman Malcolm Trask said residents in West Maddingley should be able to shop conveniently. “We already have a satellite shopping centre in Darley. If it’s something of that nature, on a modest scale, I have no objection,” he said.
“It could attract more people to the area; that can’t be a bad thing.”
