WITH the North Park parcel of land recently acquired by Bunnings, neighbouring
residents have described mixed feelings towards the retail giant’s move to enter
the Swan Hill marketplace.
While neighbours believe the development may
impact on the aesthetics and overall feel of the area, some residents have
labelled the outcome as the “best worst case scenario” that could have
eventuated.
Resident Jenny Hilton said she felt the introduction of the home
improvement store would be better than a shopping complex, but held concerns
that existing local businesses would be affected.
“I prefer [Bunnings] to a
big shopping complex, the traffic on top of school traffic would have been
horrific,” Ms Hilton said.
“I still think it is a shame that we have lost
North Park and all the potential it had.
“I think it will have a mixed effect
on the town, it will create employment for the town, but we have to worry — what
will it do to about 20 small businesses around town?”
She listed local
nurseries, building supply places and locksmiths as some of the businesses she
felt would be impacted by the sale.
She said she also felt the development
would impact the “quiet residential street” atmosphere of the area.
“I think
it will detract from the street,” she said.
“Splatt Street has always been a
lovely residential street so it will affect that feel.”
She added that she
was unsure of the direction that the development would take on the
town.
“Council feels it is good for the town and might bring outside business
in, but it is obviously going to change the way locals shop,” she said.
“We
might end up with a town with only two or three big businesses and the smaller
ones have closed down — I don’t know if that is development.
“We are losing
competition…it is the little businesses that support the town in so many
fundraisers and activities, and they employ our kids.”
Meanwhile, Splatt
Street resident John Harrison said while he would rather see the park remain, he
felt a “low key green shed” was a better option than a shopping complex.
“A
shopping centre would be disastrous, I think there would be impacts on the
environment and property values could be diminished — which is on everyone’s
mind,” Mr Harrison said.
He said he thought local businesses with similar
services to Bunnings would be impacted, and potentially unable to sustain their
services at current levels.
“Apart from being a resident, I’m probably a bit
amused by the talk on growth and employment, when it will probably impact on
local businesses.”
“Anyone in their right mind would much rather have a park
or a school than something industrial.”
He added that he felt Bunnings would
attract less noise and traffic than a shopping complex.
“If you’re living in
a country town, you don’t really need to put up with that.”
