Off Target - council to knock new Kawana store on head

Sunshine Coast Daily 17th April 2013 Megan Mackander.

TARGET may have missed the mark in its bid to open a second store on the Sunshine Coast.

Sunshine Coast Council is expected to vote next Wednesday against the discount department store's application to open a store at Home Central Kawana at Birtinya.

Council officers have recommended the application be refused because the store does not fit with the Caloundra City Plan 2004 for a homemaker centre, which is meant for large-format retail premises selling bulky goods.

Target argues the store will be temporary, only for five years until the Kawana Town Centre is built next door.

An independent report by economic experts Location IQ found there was no pressing need to change the purpose of the existing showroom centre or to approve a store outside the town plan.

The report said the overall concern was the approval of the Target store could set a precedent for future similar applications for the Home Central Kawana.

"The most likely of these impacts is that if a number of retail uses are approved at the Home Central Kawana, this may delay the development of the Kawana Town Centre," the report stated.

Kawana councillor Peter Cox agreed with the council officers and encouraged Target to consider taking advantage of the upcoming Stockland Caloundra and Kawana Shoppingworld expansions.

"If this were to happen it would have my full support, because right now Target is trying to go into an area where it really isn't meant to be located," Cr Cox said.

Kawana Chamber of Commerce vice president Kerry Ricketts said it would be disappointing to see the council reject Target's application.

"There's a possibility of 28 jobs and currently we've got empty shops around the place, so anything that can boost the economy for Kawana area we would support," Mr Ricketts said.

"Target will be a presence to bring people to the Kawana area," he said.