Bunnings withdraws DA

Narrabri Shire Council has confirmed that the Development Application for a proposed Bunnings store at Narrabri has been withdrawn.

In a DA lodged last year, Bunnings had proposed a ‘smaller format’ store for Narrabri.

A site on the Newell Highway on the northern outskirts of Narrabri had been nominated for the project.

However, issues arose which precluded the site from being developed for the store.

“The NSW Government Roads and Maritime Services lodged an objection to Bunnings Narrabri in January 2018 and Council understands that since that time Bunnings has been unable to reach agreement with the adjoining land owner for a shared Newell Highway access” said Narrabri Shire Council Executive Manager Planning and Environment, Daniel Boyce.

“The development application for Bunnings Narrabri has now been withdrawn.

“However, Bunnings has advised Council that they maintain their interest in coming to Narrabri,” Mr Boyce added.

In a statement to The Courier, January 9, Bunnings’ acting property general manager, Garry James, acknowledged community interest in the project.

“As the community knows, we’ve been keen to bring a store to Narrabri for some time,” Mr James said.

“Unfortunately, we are unable to proceed with the current site.

“We appreciate the collaborative and proactive approach taken by Narrabri Shire Council during the process,” Mr James said.

“Narrabri remains an area of interest for Bunnings and we look forward to working with council when another suitable site has been identified.”

The proposed Bunnings’ development has generated much community commentary, with many expressing  support for the development and its implications for the growth of the shire, seeing it as an endorsement of the town’s potential, and others very concerned it would seriously impact on existing similar businesses.

According to the shire council December meeting report on community submissions on the proposal, of the 42 lodged, 14 were in support and  27 were against, with one requesting further information.

A summary of the submissions is included in Narrabri Shire Council’s December 17 meeting business paper.

The Bunnings DA had identified a total retail area of  5,075 square metres for the proposed store.

The retail store area would be 2025 square metres, a timber trades area of 1544 square metres,  bagged goods area 521 square metres, nursery 395 square metres and the building and landscaping materials yard 456 square metres.

In an executive summary tabled at the December 17 council meeting, Mr Boyce reported the proposal was lodged with Council on December 20, 2018.

“On January 23, 2018, RMS advised Council of its objection to Bunnings Narrabri pursuant to section 70 of the Roads Act 1993 due to the proposed Newell Highway access.

“Council requested further information from the applicant on January 21 and April 18, 2019 with a response received on May 26, 2019.

“Amongst other things the response included amended plans proposing an alternative Newell Highway access via the existing access on the adjoining Lot 31 DP 1184780.

“On July 9, 2019 RMS advised Council that it granted its concurrence to Bunnings Narrabri pursuant to section 70 of the Roads Act 1993 subject conditions.

“Land owners’ consent was not provided for Lot 31 DP 1184780 at the time of the lodgement of the amended plans, however, the owner’s consent can be supplied at any time before the determination of the application.

“It is understood that the applicant has been working with the owners of Lot 31 DP 1184780 since May 2019 with a view to securing their consent.
“To date the owner’s consent has not materialised.

“Owner’s consent is an essential precondition to the granting of development consent.

“Any consent granted in its absence will be declared invalid.”