WHY WHAT'S GOOD FOR WOOLIES IS BAD FOR MULLUM

Now that Woolworths have bought Mallams Supermarket, they want to build a very large new store, almost as large as Byron Woolworths—next to a residential part of town on railway land in Station Street.
Mullumbimby Community Action Network (MCAN) is a growing group of concerned residents who believe that Woolworths will be bad for Mullum.
Why?
Woolworths’ has a history of destroying local businesses and communities. Across Australia, towns have found that a new Woolworths, opening with prices at or below cost, sends many locals out of business, reduces local employment, and sells little or no local produce. Furthermore, the Station Street site will create massive traffic problems in Mullum, break up the present compact retail area, and destroy the value of a residential part of town. A lot more retail profit will also leave Mullumbimby instead of staying in the town.
History
In 2005 Byron Shire Council rejected the Station Street development proposed by Mallams, who then appealed to the NSW Minister for Planning, Frank Sartor. Sartor overturned the Council decision and allowed the development on certain conditions. Mallams then sold the approved DA to Woolworths—who are now unhappy with some of the conditions.
Bend the Rules?
One of the conditions of the original DA was that sewage had to be disposed of on-site, because of a moratorium on new connections to the overloaded Mullumbimby sewage system.
Woolworths have now lodged a DA to modify conditions, including a ‘special dispens­ation’ for an ‘interim connection’ to Mullum’s already overloaded sewage system. The new sewage treatment plant will not be finished for some years: the “interim” could become permanent. Why should Woolworths be allowed to bend the rules while other developers toe the line? The DA modification document can be viewed at BSC or on the BSC website.
Take Action
The NSW Minister for Planning, Frank Sartor, has the final say on this revised DA, and MCAN urges you to lodge your personal objections. Write or email them using the enclosed form letter as a guide. An electronic version is available at our website, www.mullumaction.org. Or simply sign the enclosed letter (with a personal note, if possible) and, ideally, one signature per submission. Post it to the address included or leave it at a drop box in Santos, Eden’s Landing, or the deli counter at IGA. All objections must be received before 30 May 2008. Nonresidents may also submit objections.
Apart from the damage Woolworths will cause to local businesses, a building five times the size of either of our existing supermarkets, and in a residential area, is so out of proportion to the small-town personal scale of Mullum, it will change the nature of the town permanently—for the worse.
If you value Mullum the way it is—we need your help to keep it that way.

Woolies is bad for Mullum
Mullum Community Action Network (MCAN)
www.mullumaction.org
PO Box 603
Mullumbimby, NSW




To:
All Byron Shire Residents




Woolies Is Bad for Mullum

Why What’s Good for Woolies…
Is Bad for Mullum

Action Requested:
Please read the enclosed and voice your concerns to the Planning Minister

Be sure your submission includes:
• Your name and address
• The reference number (DA 32-04-2006 MOD 2)
• A statement objecting to the proposal and the reasons why you object

Submissions must reach the Dept of Planning by close of business May 30.
paula.tomkins@planning.nsw.gov.au
Post: The Director, Coastal Assessments
Dept of Planning
GPO Box 39
Sydney NSW 2001