By Aimee Chanthadavong
As Woolworths continues its plan to secure 150 sites for its hardware store, the Victorian Planning Minister Justin Madden has rejected the supermarket giant’s permit application and rezoning request in Geelong.
In a statement, Madden said the decision to reject Woolworth’s request was based on the recommendations of an independent Advisory Committee.
“This Woolworths hardware store proposal on part of the former Geelong Golf Course site was one of eleven proposed across the State,” Madden said.
“The Advisory Committee found that this development was not consistent with the City of Greater Geelong’s strategic direction and did not adequately address issues such as urban context, equitable access, public amenity and environmental sustainability.”
Woolworths has a remaining 10 hardware store proposals that are awaiting final advice.
“Woolworths is disappointed to no longer have the opportunity to have its home improvmenet store located on this particular site in Geelong but respects the process undertaken by the independent Advisory panel to reach its decision,” Benedict Brook, Woolworths spokesperson, told Retailbiz.
“We’re going to examine what’s happening and make decision in due course.”