Costco hurry-up shows government’s intention

The Courier-Mail
November 09, 2012

THE decision to call in a proposed shopping centre development on Brisbane’s northern doorstep has given voters another glimpse of the style of the Newman Government.

Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney’s decision to intervene in the dispute between retail giant Westfield and the Moreton Bay Regional Council was a decisive move, blocking a potentially lengthy legal battle which may have harpooned the project.

The council approved a 14,000sq m development by megastore Costco at North Lakes in August, but the co-owners of the Westfield North Lakes shopping centre want the Planning and Environment Court to overturn the decision. The shopping politics of this move are simple – a vast majority of shoppers want the Costco store to go ahead, making for a more vibrant and more competitive shopping district in one of the region’s fastest-growing areas. Shoppers would likely travel for some distance to experience an internationally recognised retailer and what its presence may do for competition.

Westfield has every right to seek a rejection of the development through the courts but that move will take some time – a factor for which Westfield cannot be blamed.

But Mr Seeney’s decision is another sign that the Newman Government will be proactive as it tries to spark the economy and make publicised moves to cut red tape and regulation. Mr Seeney would be wise to use the call-in powers only when necessary. The Government would be better spent making development and consultation processes more efficient than using the call-in powers as a method to push through projects. But Mr Seeney’s call-in decision, while not guaranteeing the approval of the Costco project, will likely be strongly supported by voters who may be sceptical of the reasons behind the legal action.

After becoming bogged down by negative voter reaction during its efforts to trim the public sector, the Government has been seeking ways to show it is the “Can Do” administration promised to voters before the March election. Premier Campbell Newman’s decision to approve uranium mining was a message to voters that this Government will act decisively when required.

Voters continue to learn more about a Government that they overwhelmingly voted into office in March. This week’s decision by Mr Seeney was another matter which will be closely watched, and largely supported, by voters and some business leaders.