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http://www.northernleader.com.au/article/valad_snubs_community

Valad snubs community
April 07, 2010
Section: News

HEATHER SMITH [email protected]

Neighbourhood Forum 4 has been stymied in its attempts to sit down with developers Valad to discuss the Corrimal Shopping Centre, according to convenor Valerie Hussain.

Mrs Hussain and fellow forum members Wayne Cooper and Rod Plant successfully appeared before the Independent Hearing and Assessment Panel last October to object to the development in its current form.

The panel deferred the development application and recommended the developer submit amended plans based on community aspirations, sustainability principles and sensitivity to the escarpment context.

Mr Cooper stressed the Neighbourhood Forum was not opposed to development and wanted to work constructively with Valad.

We want to appear with Valad at the next IHAP meeting saying we support their proposal, Mr Cooper said.

But we need to meet with them so they can incorporate the communitys views.

Mrs Hussain said Wollongong City Council planners had advised the forum to seek a dialogue with the developers but two approaches had been rejected.

It is quite clear that Valad does not recognise the community as a legitimate stakeholder in the redesign of the proposed Corrimal Shopping Centre, she said.

In a letter to the forum in February, Valad development executive Denis Ghersinich said: Over the past 18 months, Valad has undertaken a substantial amount of community consultation and the feedback indicates that the majority of the community support the proposed shopping centre proceeding.

We are disappointed that the development proposal was not successful. We will continue to work with council as we consider our options.