THE proposed shopping complex at Townview Terrace, Margaret River awarded to Woolworths by the Augusta-Margaret River Shire with a $5.872 million tender – the meeting was held behind closed doors, ostensibly because of the commercial nature of discussions, and the symbolism of ‘behind closed doors’ was not lost on ratepayers (Woolworths backlash, Augusta-Margaret River Mail October 14, 2009).

Factors not tabled through the obligatory ‘public comment’ before Council determines the application on its merits having due regard to submissions received and the advertising period include:

– The very real difference of Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) population/demographic data and the quota of AMRSC ‘population trends’ promoting ad hoc development; as the 2001 census data collator for Margaret River east of Bussell Highway and 2006 census data collator for Margaret River west of Margaret River overprinted by a 2007 Electoral Roll Review at Riverslea (visiting every domicile), I can attest to the reality of ABS data in comparison to conjured ‘population trends’ promoted by the AMRSC.

– Woolworths is replicating Coles’ poor location decision, locating the proposed supermarket (and it is a proposal) in a contrived, central locale of Margaret River which has generated a subsequent traffic flow/parking dilemma catering to the visitor (as opposed to residential) component of the retail trade to the chagrin of Coles, which had available the old drive-in site (Bovell/Bussell) in proximity to the main consumer catchment area of Riverslea/Rapids Landing/Brookfield.

– Ratepayer (read potential consumer) interpretation is that this is a financial, kneejerk reaction by the AMRSC (Mail October 14) to the proposed AMRSC new administration building to cost $15 million requiring a $9.27 million in borrowing as Council lost $1.55 million in Collaterised Debt Obligation (CDO) in financial ‘investments’.

– Master locality plans of Riverslea/Rapids Landing/Brookfield incorporate localities for shopping precincts, the prime locale of retail consumers in Margaret River additional to lot 100, Clarke Road in proximity to the Mitre 10 hardware outlet (application number P29290).