An application to amend a planning scheme in Halls Head to allow for a second Bunnings store in the region is 'opportunistic' and 'strategic' a new independent report has found.
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In July, Mandurah councillors approved an amended plan to go out for public comment, which would allow Bunnings to build a store adjacent to the current Halls Head Forum.
But a newly released discussion paper, prepared by The Centre for Independently-Owned Retail Research found the construction of a Bunnings Warehouse at the Lot 505 Hungerford Avenue site would have 'severe implications' for Halls Head residents.
"The Bunnings Warehouse is simply not in harmony with its surroundings," the report found.
"The physical impacts, such as noise and traffic will be intrusive to the adjacent residents, resulting in the development potential of the adjacent residential land being constrained."
The report also found issues with the proposed interface between the site and adjacent lots and envisaged problems with the installation of a "gigantic monstrous pylon sign".
"A solution to the issue of the interface is to simply not build a Bunnings Warehouse," the report read.
"The establishment of the Bunnings Warehouse will be incompatible with the future character of the Halls Head Precinct.
"There is a real possibility that the establishment of a Bunnings Warehouse will sterilise the adjacent residential land.
"Who would want to live opposite a Bunnings Warehouse?"
The report found the application by Wesfarmers-owned Bunnings comes on the back of failed attempts by Woolworths-owned rival Masters to locate at Furnissdale in 2012.
But with a new Masters store scheduled for opening in April 2015 in Mandurah's newly developed Central Park estate, the "ferocious drive" for market share between the two was found to be the reason behind the push.
The City of Mandurah's public comment period is open until close of business on September 12.
Any local wishing to have their say on the proposal can email submissions to planning@mandurah.wa.gov.au or write to City of Mandurah, PO Box 210, Mandurah WA 6210.
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