Rodney Stevens
A new shopping centre will be built in West Yamba to accommodate the development and population expansion that will follow, but residents could be waiting for years until the doors open.
The CV Independent has been contacted by numerous readers and we have received a number of posts on social media over the past 12 months, concerned about how the local infrastructure in Yamba will cope, when hundreds of new houses are complete, and the population approaches 9000 residents, a figure that can triple during holiday periods.
We are aware, among the myriad of services and facilities desired, the Lower Clarence needs more doctors, a more comprehensive service at Maclean hospital to cater to the ageing population, a second road access to Yamba, and more affordable housing.
Over the summer holidays Yamba Fair has been extremely busy, with Coles Supermarket reportedly turning over up to $1 million a week, and people are calling for additional shopping options in Yamba.
The good news is, as part of the Development Control Plan for the West Yamba Urban Release Area WYURA, council confirmed a shopping centre will be constructed on Carrs Drive.
“The development control plan includes provision for a neighbourhood centre on the corner of Miles Street and Carrs Drive,” a council spokesperson said.
“This allows for the future development of neighbourhood shops.
“To date, council has not received a development application for shops at this location.”
The site, on the corner of the yet to be established Miles Street, and Carrs Drive, is adjacent to the proposed $53.68 million 284 lot subdivision by Kahuna No.1 Pty Ltd, to be known as “Yamba Gardens”, with St James Primary School to the north.
A revised development application SUB2023/001 for the subdivision was lodged with Clarence Valley Council in November 2023, and was on public exhibition until December 18.
Due to the value of the DA, it is considered a state significant development and will be determined by the Northern Regional Planning Panel, on a date yet to be set.
As there is already a Coles supermarket at Yamba, the CV Independent contacted major supermarket retailers Aldi and Woolworths, to see if they had investigated the possibility, or had any plans to open a supermarket at Yamba or anywhere in the Lower Clarence.
Aldi replied, stating the business continually looks for opportunities to expand into new locations, but they have no updates to share at this point in time.
A spokesperson for Woolworths said the company had no current plans to open a supermarket at Yamba.
“We’re always looking for opportunities to grow and optimise our store network across Australia, providing customers with an optimal shopping experience,” the spokesperson said.
The CV Independent will update the community when a DA is lodged for the construction of a shopping centre on the site.