Member for Davidson, Jonathan O’Dea has called on Stockland to hear the voice of local people over the future of the Glenrose Shopping Centre at Belrose.
“Stockland want to bulldoze virtually the entire shopping complex, except for Woolworths, as their preferred method of removing contaminated groundwater beneath the centre – but the community is calling for a smarter solution,” Mr O’Dea said.
“Over 500 people crammed into the Belrose Bowling Club on Friday night to receive information, object to the Stockland plan and show their support for the centre.
“I understand it was the largest crowd ever witnessed at the Club and demonstrated the depth of support for the many small business owners who are now facing eviction and financial hardship as a result of Stockland’s bulldozers,” Mr O’Dea said.
“The meeting, which I called to bring the major stakeholders together, was addressed by Warringah Mayor Michael Regan, Federal Member Bronwyn Bishop, Department of Environment and Climate Change representative Niall Johnson and Glenrose pharmacist, Craig Bird on behalf of local shop owners.
“However, a gutless Stockland refused to attend and face the community they plan to deprive, instead issuing a two page statement,” Mr O’Dea said.
“Understandably, the no-show decision by Stockland was not well received by the meeting which wanted to ask important questions on the future of their local shopping centre. In particular, the community was disturbed that Woolworths appears to be looked after but not the many smaller retailers.
“The shop keepers and local community deserve to be treated far better,” Mr O’Dea said.
“While the demolition date has now been deferred from after 30 June 2009 to after 31 January 2010, I will continue to work with the relevant stakeholders to ensure the maximum number of shops can remain open during the remediation work. This would be to the benefit of both the local business owners and the local community in general.
“The Glenrose Shopping Centre is more than just a group of shops – it’s the hub and meeting place of the local area. I call on Stockland to re-work their plans to facilitate greater certainty and continuity for local stakeholders as well as to transparently release relevant environmental reports on the site contamination,” Mr O’Dea concluded.
