An architectural impression of what the new IGA supermarket on Savage Street will look like following the project getting the development green light from Cook Shire Council on 2 September. Photo: Supplied.
Cooktown is one step closer to a new supermarket after Cook Shire Council voted unanimously to approve the project’s development application at a special meeting on 2 September.
The Cornetts IGA will be constructed at 81 Savage Street and include a supermarket, bottle shop, laundromat and cafe.
It is understood the project is valued at about $10 million, an investment council chief executive officer Brian Joiner said represented significant developer confidence in Cooktown and the region’s growth potential.
“The project does reflect confidence in development in the area,” he said.
“With other major projects, such as the hospital redevelopment and the State Government’s build of more than 40 staff houses, Cooktown will see considerable growth over the next five years.
“Employment, services and retail sectors will increase, all of which will contribute to considerable economic growth.”
The unanimous council vote was passed with minor amendments to the wording of two of the conditions of the development application, and two members of the community present in the public gallery for the meeting were permitted to ask questions.
Bruce Jenkins asked the council why the town needed a larger supermarket when he believed the existing store often struggled to meet customer demand.
“I feel that the current IGA is not coping as it is,” he told the meeting.
“Shelves are often empty, they cannot always get stock in, storage facilities are not the biggest or best and, quite often, there are staffing difficulties.”
In response, the Mr Joiner said it was not up to the council to determine the viability of local businesses.
“That would be a question for the developer, rather than for council,” he said.
“Council should not comment on the rationale of private business decisions.”
It is understood the developer, Graham Cornett’s Kwikbridge Pty Ltd, has indicated it would like to have earthworks on the Savage Street site completed by the arrival of the 2024 wet season.
The new Cornetts IGA will include a supermarket, bottle shop, laundromat and cafe. Photo: Supplied.
