BOWEN is set to get a new medical centre, in George Street, along with a new pharmacy.
The new facility will be where the old furniture store is located, at 37 George Street, with 203m2 of floor area, at the western end of the building, converted into a medical centre and the rest of the building (202m2) used for a pharmacy.
Councilors voted 7-0 in favour of the development application – which was made by Bowen Property Investments Pty Ltd. -for a Material Change of Use (MCU) of the building.
The premises are zoned Major Centre, and the proposed development is consistent with the purpose of the zone, according to council officers.
Officers recommended approval, despite the development not being able to achieve the required number of parking spaces on-site
“There are limited cosmetic external changes to the built form, which means the proposal will not result in a change to the visual character and amenity for the centre of Bowen,” council officers said in their summary.
“The proposal does not provide the required on-site parking spaces that is triggered by the development.
“The development has a shortfall of eight car parking spaces and two service vehicle parking spaces.
“Therefore, the development is unable to comply with the Transport and Parking code.
“To justify the shortfall in parking, the applicant has provided a parking study that assesses the availability of on-street parking close to the site.
“The applicant has also advised that service vehicles will utilise the general parking within the proposed car parking area, as justification for no provision of service vehicle spaces.
“The proposed access to the on-site car park, via George Street, will remove one on-street parking bay.
“Conditions of approval are recommended to address potential safety impacts on the proposed access off George Street.”
Councillor Michelle Wright spoke to support the proposal, at the Ordinary Council Meeting, held on Wednesday, June 26, 2024.
“I think it’s a good use of this building – it’s been standing empty for a while,” she said.
“It will be great to bolster the main street and bring more activity in that area.”
Mayor Ry Collins said that a local business looking to expand and improve their footprint was good.
