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Woolworths’ win in Mullumbimby a triumph for a shonky planning process

Sylvia Hale and Deborah Lilly; co-ordinator of Mullumbimby Community Action network

The decision of the Land & Environment Court to allow Woolworths’ Big Box supermarket in Mullumbimby to proceed in the face of intense opposition from the local community and Byron Shire Council is a victory for dubious planning decisions, says Greens Planning spokesperson, Sylvia Hale MLC.

“The decision of then Planning Minister Frank Sartor to rezone disused railway land for retail development and to approve in November 2006 the construction of a supermarket on the site, overrode the Council’s refusal of the application and the hostility of Mullum’s residents to the development,” said Ms Hale.

“The rezoning process was unacceptable and the end result has been a decision that favours a giant corporation.

“Country residents are all too aware of how supermarket developments in their towns have sucked the life-blood from small, main-street shops.

“The campaign of the Mullumbimby Community Action Network against Woolworths’ campaign was instigated

 ‘in response to Woolworths potential high-jacking of our local economy with their multinational globalisation policies. In contrast, we aim to localise; strengthen our economy sustainably, building community solidarity and resilience at this time of global warming and peak oil.’

“The opposition to the development is not going to disappear in the face of this decision. I anticipate that the vigorous ‘Woolworths -- don’t shop here’ campaign will be all the stronger.

“After all, what’s at stake is the very character of Mullumbimby,” said Ms Hale.

http://sylviahale.org.au/news/woolworths2019-win-in-mullumbimby-a-triumph-for-a-shonky-planning-process