Eumundi residents have thrown their support behind a proposed new supermarket which would mean they don’t have to travel to neighbouring towns to buy groceries.
More than 150 public submissions were made to Sunshine Coast Council during the public notification period.
Most of the respondants were in favour of the development at the southern gateway to town on Memorial Drive.
It includes a service station and retail centre comprising a limited line supermarket, 272sqm of specialty retail and 76 car spaces.
Resident Joe Bowden, who has lived in Eumundi his whole life, said in his submission that the town “desperately needs” a supermarket and service station.
“We believe something similar should have been built as much as 30 years ago,” wrote Mr Bowden.
“I believe it would be best if SCC could do its best to speed up the process. The sooner this is built the sooner we can stop travelling to other towns for the same services.”
Another local Brian Esplin wrote that he currently has to drive to Noosaville or Cooroy to find a shop with a “good range of supplies at a fair price”.
“I understand from many friends and neighbours that there is broad community support for this proposal,” he wrote.
However some residents like Andrew Hillhouse are opposed to what he said would be a “small expensive boutique convenience store that does not supply the full range of needs”.
“The development supermarket and specialty shops will compete directly with the small amount of retail that currently exists in the main street, further eroding the usefulness and viability of the main street and the locally owned businesses,” he wrote.
The supermarket is proposed by Altum Property Group. Group director Alex Rigby said the town was “calling out” for basic infrastructure such as a supermarket.
“Many other hinterland towns now have their own supermarket and Eumundi residents feel that they have been left off the strategic planning map and combined with the rising cost of living, they are hopeful that Sunshine Coast Council support this supermarket application,” said Mr Rigby.
“We have already addressed most of the objections which were submitted and while our application acknowledges there are some non-compliances with various planning scheme provisions, we believe it also includes relevant matters which justifies an approval from council.
“We are now waiting for council to review and consider the submission which is due to conclude on August 9.
“Then council has 25 days to assess and decide the application, however, during this stage council has the ability to issue a Further Advice Notice to raise any outstanding issues required to be addressed before the application can be decided.
“There’s still a way to go but we are confident our design and planning is appropriate for the area and we are also buoyed by the positive sentiment received from a wide variety of locals,” said Mr Rigby.
Altum Property Group has prepared a project information booklet.
