By ALENA HIGGINS
A FORMER corner store in Warwick has been given the green light to be converted into short-term accommodation.
Southern Downs Regional Council (SDRC) approved an application for a material change of use of the building on the corner of Hamilton and Grafton streets last Wednesday, despite receiving eight submissions against the development.
The applicant proposes to re-model the building into short-term accommodation for up to 12 people.
Deputy mayor Ross Bartley was quick to voice his concerns during discussion, saying he would not support the application.
He described it as unsuitable for a residential area and likened it to trying to “drive a square peg in a round hole”.
“It is well and truly a residential area now that the railway line has died down,” Cr Bartley said.
The “non family-friendly commercial enterprise” also posed noise, traffic and parking issues, as well as fears about the “type of individuals frequenting this type of accommodation”, according to a summary of responses by submitters.
But the council’s planning and environment director Ken Harris said it was obvious there was a need to increase the stock of available short-stay accommodation in the region, with a number of local landholders found to be unlawfully conducting back-packer style establishments in the past.
He argued that the Hamilton Street shop owners had no control over the people who visited the former general store and said it was unreasonable for council to make assumptions about the persons that may use the site.
There is no increase in the floor area as a result of the proposed development and the applicant has indicated an on-site manager will be permanently residing at the site despite it not being a requirement of the Planning Scheme.
The motion was carried seven votes to two, with Cr Bartley and Cr Vic Pennisi voting against the application.
