May 21, 2016
The South Burnett Regional Council has a contract with Breezeway Developments Pty Ltd, the developer for the Blackbutt supermarket, and it has no intention of breaking it.
Mayor Keith Campbell said reports the operator of the SupaIGA supermarket in Kingaroy and the Yarraman IGA had an alternative proposal for another site in town were not really relevant.
“He had plenty of time to put in an expression of interest at the time,” Mayor Campbell said.
“And there is also nothing stopping him from putting in a planning application now.”
However, Mayor Campbell said the developer of the proposed supermarket on the site of the Memorial Hall had already submitted a planning application, and lodged a $200,000 bond with Council.
He said the $50,000 figure reported as being the cost to move the hall was incorrect.
“That is the (Council) contribution towards setting up around the hall at its new location, ” he said.
“The developer (Breezeway) is up for every cent and penny to move the hall from Point A to Point B.”
That would include any extra costs identified, including rumoured issues with the roof of the building.
“And Council won’t allow the hall to be moved until the development application is approved,” Mayor Campbell said.
“We are holding a $200,000 bond that gives him the right to the land (under the hall) once the supermarket is constructed.”
He said the July deadline originally floated by the previous mayor would not be met, but that did not mean the project was not going ahead.
Mayor Campbell said people should remember there were also external factors – such as approval from the Department of Transport – that could delay planning approval.
