Busselton shopping centre hits hitch

Plans to expand the Busselton Central Shopping Centre could be in jeopardy if a proposal to build a Kmart and Aldi store on Lot 17 West Street is approved by the City of Busselton council next week.

Proponents of the shopping centre, Australian Unity Investments, spoke to councillors at Wednesday night's public access session and asked for the matter to be deferred for further review.

Australian Unity Investment property portfolio manager Nikki Panagopoulos spoke to the Times and said if the proposal was to be approved it could put the development of the shopping centre at risk.

"The issue we have is if the proposed development on West Street was to go ahead it could create a further drawcard for other specialty retailers and could fragment the CBD," she said.

"The biggest issue for this application for Lot 17 is that it could create a retail precinct and once you allow one supermarket, it will give rise to another and then when does that stop?

"It will affect the whole CBD retailing precinct and put retailers at risk."

Proponents for the development of Lot 17 West Street, Planning Solutions, also spoke at the public access session on Wednesday night.

Ross Underwood from Planning Solutions said the proposed plan to bring Kmart and Aldi to Busselton would enhance the shopping experience.

"We are pleased to bring Aldi to Busselton. It is exciting for the people of Busselton and the South West region and will liven competition in Busselton to the benefit of the community," he said.

City of Busselton Mayor Grant Henley said the council was yet to decide if they would defer the items from next week's agenda meeting.

"This will be the subject of ongoing discussion," he said.

"West Street and Busselton Central Shopping Centre are extremely important developments and council supports them both.

"The decisions that council makes with respect to the two applications are clearly important decisions for our town and community.

"There are a broad range of issues for the council to consider."