Mayor clarifies KFC and Woolworths petrol legal costs
Wingecarribee Shire Mayor Larry Whipper has today refuted supposed costs reported in some sections of the media said to have cost Council regarding the Land and Environment Court’s decision to allow the KFC restaurant and Woolworths service station development applications to proceed in Mittagong.
“The figures reported today are simply not true,” the Mayor said. “At this stage the full costs are yet to be determined so any figures are pure speculation.”
Cumulative figures reported at the end of April 2016 reveal Council’s legal costs spent to date in the joint cases amount to $5,400.
“Having someone report exaggerated legal costs is both disruptive and mischievous,” the Mayor said. “I would question the motivation for making public statements relating to costs which have not at this stage been determined.”
“I should also reiterate that at no point did Council instigate legal proceedings,” Councillor Whipper said.
“These were in fact initiated by the developers on the basis of deemed refusals.”
“Council simply requested the application be deferred so better outcomes for both the immediate residents and general community could be reached – particularly in regards to traffic impacts.
“Any costs could have been avoided if the developers had agreed to sit down and talk with us,” the Mayor said.
As per the rulings issued by the NSW Land and Environment Court on Thursday 26 May 2016, both the KFC restaurant and Woolworths service station developments have been granted approval to proceed.
The Commissioner accepted additional conditions relating to traffic management, general appearance of the development, landscaping, signage and lighting.
“I doubt anyone would argue that these consent orders are unreasonable to the overall developments,” the Mayor added.
“In this instance Council’s decision to delay proceedings and hold off for improvements to the original design was justified and led to a better outcome for the entire community,” he said. “I would suggest that immediate residents have the most to gain from Council’s stance on this development.”
“And while councillors must always act prudently and in the best interests of our community’s money, whilst I am Mayor I will ensure our ratepayers concerns continue to be heard at the highest level.”
The site for the proposed KFC restaurant and Woolworths service station developments is to be located between 96 and 98 Bowral Road opposite the intersection of Dalton Street and Sedgman Avenue, Mittagong.