Reply from Coles after 10 Nov meeting
Response to Oatley Residents Against Overdevelopment (ORAO)
Wednesday, 16 November 2005
To Anne Wagstaff, Hannah Rose, Carolyn Northcott and Ted Cooper
Thank you for taking the time to meet with us last Thursday, 10 November.
We found the meeting very productive and hope the following addresses the points you raised during the meeting.
1. Traffic management
Under the Hurstville City Council Road Hierarchy, Mulga Road is classified as a collector road. When the new development is completed, Mulga Road will not be narrowed. Off-street car parking will be available within the development.
A comprehensive Operation Management Plan was developed for Coles Oatley as part of the Development Application process. The plan is designed to minimise any potential impact on Mulga Rd and adjoining residences. Adherence to the plan is a condition of the Development Consent.
The Store Manager at Coles Oatley will ensure that the Operation Management Plan is adhered to, minimising the adverse impact on the residences and traffic on Mulga Road. All delivery drivers must call the store ahead of arrival in order to access the loading dock.
In the event that an unscheduled truck arrives and the loading dock is not free, the Store Manager will instruct the driver to reschedule the deliveries and return at a later time.
However, in cases when the waiting time for the loading dock is less than 30 minutes, the driver may be instructed to proceed to the nominated waiting area – the southern side of Roberts Avenue between Depot Road and Lorraine Street.
All delivery drivers servicing the Coles Oatley store will be issued clear instructions to conduct themselves in a manner that respects the nature of the surrounding area. Coles staff will closely monitor all deliveries made to the store and will report incidents to our supplier as required. Failure to observe the above instructions may result in that driver being banned from entering the Coles Oatley site.
The Land and Environment Court did not determine that supply trucks should only enter and exit delivery dock by right-hand turn. Coles put this measure in place, in consultation with traffic experts, to minimise unnecessary noise made by Coles delivery trucks using Mulga Road.
The installation of a turntable facility in the loading dock was a requirement of the developer’s Development Application being approved. This facility will be fully operational and correctly utilised at all times.
It is most important that residents quickly bring any concerns to Coles’ attention at all times. To do this, residents should phone Coles Oatley and detail their concern. A second contact point is Coles Customer Relations team (toll free) on 1800 061 562 where all issues are logged by an operator – it is Coles policy to respond to each issue, where possible within two working days.
2. Neighbourhood character
Whilst this is really a matter for the developer, Renaldo Gaiety, I understand that the Land and Environment Court found the developer’s proposal legally complied with Hurstville Council’s own zoning regulations as well as development controls imposed by the Council itself.
I also understand that those concerns tabled by residents about the change in amenity, size of the store, traffic and noise were addressed during the Court proceedings and the Court found that the proposal had properly addressed the concerns.
3. Loss of amenity
Coles Oatley will be at the smaller end of our store range and has been carefully designed to align with the retail needs of the Oatley area as well as the existing shopping strip.
We believe that Coles Oatley will enhance the local shopping facilities as well as increase customer choice and convenience for the Oatley community and offer new employment opportunities in the community.
It is proposed that Coles Oatley shopping trolleys will be coin-operated, whereby the customer receives their coin deposit back upon return of the trolley. In addition, the Mulga Road site offers plenty of off-street parking underground. We believe these two factors, together with customer education that reminds customers it is discourteous to take trolleys from the store premises, will ensure sound trolley management.
4. Safety
As I outlined above, under the Hurstville City Council Road Hierarchy Mulga Road is classified as a collector road.
The size of delivery vehicles servicing Coles Oatley must not be greater than 11m. This is a condition of the Development Consent. The size of these delivery vehicles will be similar to the size of vehicles currently servicing the existing shopping strip.
The delivery schedule planned for Coles Oatley West is set for up to 7 main truck deliveries per day (less than one truck delivery per hour between 7am and 7pm). Other deliveries will occur Monday to Friday via smaller delivery vehicles (no more than 20 per day).
The Coles Oatley Store Manager will ensure that all direct deliveries and pick-ups are co-ordinated so that truck movements in and out of the loading dock will not breach delivery restrictions.
It is my understanding that the development of this site will not impact on the footpath along Mulga Road and the Land and Environment Court has found that with the frequency of
deliveries and with a reasonable level of care by drivers and pedestrians, pedestrian safety should not be an issue.
5. Lack of community voice
The developer’s application complies with Hurstville Council zoning regulations as well as development controls imposed by the Council itself.
Once again, this is a matter for the developer but I understand those concerns tabled by residents about the change in amenity, size of the store, traffic and noise were addressed during the Court proceedings and the Court found that the proposal had properly addressed the concerns.
The Land and Environment Court is the appropriate administrative body in cases such as this and it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the Court’s operating structure.
I trust this letter addresses your concerns. Once again, thank you for taking the time to meet with us.
Roy Bridges
State Manager – NSW & ACT
Coles Myer Supermarkets
Wednesday, 16 November 2005
To Anne Wagstaff, Hannah Rose, Carolyn Northcott and Ted Cooper
Thank you for taking the time to meet with us last Thursday, 10 November.
We found the meeting very productive and hope the following addresses the points you raised during the meeting.
1. Traffic management
Under the Hurstville City Council Road Hierarchy, Mulga Road is classified as a collector road. When the new development is completed, Mulga Road will not be narrowed. Off-street car parking will be available within the development.
A comprehensive Operation Management Plan was developed for Coles Oatley as part of the Development Application process. The plan is designed to minimise any potential impact on Mulga Rd and adjoining residences. Adherence to the plan is a condition of the Development Consent.
The Store Manager at Coles Oatley will ensure that the Operation Management Plan is adhered to, minimising the adverse impact on the residences and traffic on Mulga Road. All delivery drivers must call the store ahead of arrival in order to access the loading dock.
In the event that an unscheduled truck arrives and the loading dock is not free, the Store Manager will instruct the driver to reschedule the deliveries and return at a later time.
However, in cases when the waiting time for the loading dock is less than 30 minutes, the driver may be instructed to proceed to the nominated waiting area – the southern side of Roberts Avenue between Depot Road and Lorraine Street.
All delivery drivers servicing the Coles Oatley store will be issued clear instructions to conduct themselves in a manner that respects the nature of the surrounding area. Coles staff will closely monitor all deliveries made to the store and will report incidents to our supplier as required. Failure to observe the above instructions may result in that driver being banned from entering the Coles Oatley site.
The Land and Environment Court did not determine that supply trucks should only enter and exit delivery dock by right-hand turn. Coles put this measure in place, in consultation with traffic experts, to minimise unnecessary noise made by Coles delivery trucks using Mulga Road.
The installation of a turntable facility in the loading dock was a requirement of the developer’s Development Application being approved. This facility will be fully operational and correctly utilised at all times.
It is most important that residents quickly bring any concerns to Coles’ attention at all times. To do this, residents should phone Coles Oatley and detail their concern. A second contact point is Coles Customer Relations team (toll free) on 1800 061 562 where all issues are logged by an operator – it is Coles policy to respond to each issue, where possible within two working days.
2. Neighbourhood character
Whilst this is really a matter for the developer, Renaldo Gaiety, I understand that the Land and Environment Court found the developer’s proposal legally complied with Hurstville Council’s own zoning regulations as well as development controls imposed by the Council itself.
I also understand that those concerns tabled by residents about the change in amenity, size of the store, traffic and noise were addressed during the Court proceedings and the Court found that the proposal had properly addressed the concerns.
3. Loss of amenity
Coles Oatley will be at the smaller end of our store range and has been carefully designed to align with the retail needs of the Oatley area as well as the existing shopping strip.
We believe that Coles Oatley will enhance the local shopping facilities as well as increase customer choice and convenience for the Oatley community and offer new employment opportunities in the community.
It is proposed that Coles Oatley shopping trolleys will be coin-operated, whereby the customer receives their coin deposit back upon return of the trolley. In addition, the Mulga Road site offers plenty of off-street parking underground. We believe these two factors, together with customer education that reminds customers it is discourteous to take trolleys from the store premises, will ensure sound trolley management.
4. Safety
As I outlined above, under the Hurstville City Council Road Hierarchy Mulga Road is classified as a collector road.
The size of delivery vehicles servicing Coles Oatley must not be greater than 11m. This is a condition of the Development Consent. The size of these delivery vehicles will be similar to the size of vehicles currently servicing the existing shopping strip.
The delivery schedule planned for Coles Oatley West is set for up to 7 main truck deliveries per day (less than one truck delivery per hour between 7am and 7pm). Other deliveries will occur Monday to Friday via smaller delivery vehicles (no more than 20 per day).
The Coles Oatley Store Manager will ensure that all direct deliveries and pick-ups are co-ordinated so that truck movements in and out of the loading dock will not breach delivery restrictions.
It is my understanding that the development of this site will not impact on the footpath along Mulga Road and the Land and Environment Court has found that with the frequency of
deliveries and with a reasonable level of care by drivers and pedestrians, pedestrian safety should not be an issue.
5. Lack of community voice
The developer’s application complies with Hurstville Council zoning regulations as well as development controls imposed by the Council itself.
Once again, this is a matter for the developer but I understand those concerns tabled by residents about the change in amenity, size of the store, traffic and noise were addressed during the Court proceedings and the Court found that the proposal had properly addressed the concerns.
The Land and Environment Court is the appropriate administrative body in cases such as this and it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the Court’s operating structure.
I trust this letter addresses your concerns. Once again, thank you for taking the time to meet with us.
Roy Bridges
State Manager – NSW & ACT
Coles Myer Supermarkets
