Save Curtin Shops!

It has occurred to me that the building owners may have submitted a lease variation application to avoid the new lease variation charges to come in on 1 July.

Therefore an application to demolish and build new shops with flats above may be a long way off.

cbjcurtin said :

we are realitivley new to the centre and we think it is great the way it is. But we did sign a lease that had a demolision clause in it, so we are not really suppriesed by the appliction. The building is old and will need to be replaced at some stage, if the building does get demolished retailers will find places at other shopping centres. Also Im sure the current owner would be happy to have al the current shop owners back after the redevelopment.

The building in question is the same age as the other buildings. If age is used as an argument that means all of the shops will go. Which is probably the long term intent anyway. (But you know there are shops elsewhere that are much much older and function perfectly well). Still, the point is that the people of Curtin, and most of the retailers, don’t WANT their shops to move to other centres. We need/want a local chemist, milk bar, restaurant and chippie; not to mention the best bookshop in the ACT. For the period of time it takes to demolish and develop the site will be horrible. People will stop going there, any remaining shops may well close. And why would shop owners come back once the hurly burly is done? If this development goes ahead I believe everything will change.

we are realitivley new to the centre and we think it is great the way it is. But we did sign a lease that had a demolision clause in it, so we are not really suppriesed by the appliction. The building is old and will need to be replaced at some stage, if the building does get demolished retailers will find places at other shopping centres. Also Im sure the current owner would be happy to have al the current shop owners back after the redevelopment.

Classified said :

Oh no, here it comes…..it’s……it’s…..CHANGE!!!!!

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Oh no, here it comes…..it’s……it’s…..CHANGE!!!!!

Thanks for all the encouraging comments. The retailers of the Curtin Shops, and not just those who will be directly affected, are largely behind the action to save the shops. The community are holding a public meeting at the shops this Saturday, 25th, at 11 am. Join us.

I think this is a project for the Greens to put to the top of their agenda.

Stay busy Amanda and don’t let the people of Curtin down. 🙂

Curtin is an ageing population and there are a lot of old ducks there. It would be a shame to lose say the chemist as a lot of these old ducks would need to bus it to woden to pick up medicines etc. I like how the kids on bikes deliver things to the oldies in the area.

I think local shops are very important to maintain a community feel in the suburbs. However, I think having people living above these shops is a good use of urban space. It’s unfortunate that this change cannot be achieved without asking the existing shop owners to move out first, but hopefully they will be replaced by shops that will go on to serve the community just as well if not better once the development is finished.

Losing Beyond Q would be a tragedy. It’s one of Canberra’s best music venues.

shstr said :

I am a proponent of development as it leads to the possibility of much better public transport and means the suburban sprawl can be contained, saving our green spaces. Nevertheless I can’t understand why a fully functioning building is to be demolished when the adjacent building, not more than 2 metres away, which is a plumbing nightmare and probably needs to be demolished isn’t been targeted for redevelopment instead?

Sorry but I don’t agree. You are letting overpopulation rule your life and ruin our way of life even further. Nahh fuck that, LEAVE IT ALONE I am sick of these extra rodents infesting and digging more rabbit holes in our once quiet little town.

The Frots said :

longshanks said :

Moose said :

No!!! That’s so horrible!! Those takeaway joints make the best tropical burgers, and the pizza joint is amazing. I still remember going in there with 50 cents as a kid and picking up a whole swag of lollies. Curtin shops should not be made into apartments. How dare they!

Yep, I can remember when 50 cents used to get you heaps of lollies! I also remember saving up to buy my first ever Spider (i.e. ice cream soda) when I was about 7 at the Curtin Milk Bar. And my grandpa used to swear that their ham and pineapple pizzas were the best in the world. Vince (the owner) was sorely missed when he died suddenly, and that whole block of shops will be sorely missed if it gets taken out.

I think that Vince’s wife still owns the shop and works there (could be wrong of course). Very sad if this shopping centre goes.

Vince’s wife works there but doesn’t own it anymore. They were taken over in July 2008 I think, but in the last couple of months those owners have been replaced by a nicer one called Graham, whose team do a really good job!

rosscoact said :

JuliaA – in your second post you make some good points that may be ignored because it’s an outcome of building not of lease change but you might as well try. It would put ACTPLA on notice that people care

random – do you have a basement with 1000 monkeys and 1000 keyboards?

So are you a real estate agent or maybe a lwyer for the owners ?

All the recent leases signed by shops in the building have a “demolition clause” so the retailers do know it is coming.

rosscoact said :

How would you feel if someone tried to stop you from painting your gutters because in their opinion your house “is terrific as it is – it does not need a change”?

Sounds like you have lived in the UK where that kind of thing is common!

rosscoact said :

thehutch said :

Reading through the statement against criteria, it appears the plan is to have retail/commercial/offices on ground floor and I assume residential above (if I am reading this correct).

The drama here is what?

They are applying to vary the lease to add non-retail commercial and residential above. All perfectly normal part of the building and development cycle.

Where on earth did you get the idea that retail would be lost? Ground floor retail is a requiremnet under the zoning and such cannot be varied through the lease.

No reason to whip ones-self into a lather.

You’re right, but you completely fail to consider one important factor – the existing small businesses will be forced out, and probably not be in a position to come back.

Assuming that it will take several months to demolish and rebuild, what exactly do you suggest that the operators of the Milk Bar/Takeaway/etc do to earn a living once they’ve been kicked out of their current premises?

It’s easy to sit back and proclaim that it’s nothing to get worked up about, but then of course it’s not your livelihood and life’s work (not the case for all the current tenants, but it would be for some) that’s at stake.

JuliaA – in your second post you make some good points that may be ignored because it’s an outcome of building not of lease change but you might as well try. It would put ACTPLA on notice that people care

random – do you have a basement with 1000 monkeys and 1000 keyboards?

rosscoact said :

How would you feel if someone tried to stop you from painting your gutters because in their opinion your house “is terrific as it is – it does not need a change”?

Nice straw-man. To extend your ridiculous analogy, how about: the previous owners of the house had the gutters painted by a local artist. Highly visible from the street, they have become a much-loved local landmark — the house is privately owned, but it has public value.

New developments aren’t supposed to remove “Existing Community and Recreation Sites”, but that doesn’t seem to cover private spaces with substantial public use, like Beyond Q, one of the only live music venues in the city.

Even though there’s probably no legal grounds for objection, it’s completely fair to resent losing this amenity so some developer can make a buck.

Emails are perfectly acceptable to ACTPLA, so if anyone is inclined please check the details of the proposed lease change and send one. Of course lease owners and business have the right to develop sites, but the people who actually live in the area also have the right to object to proposed developments which will hurt them. One major concern is that the demolition and building will impact on the other retailers at the Curtin Shops (It’s not a big area). Building sites also have a way of putting people off. But for many people the Curtin shops are community hub with an almost village feel about it Why does this have to threatened? (And yes Vince’s wife still runs the milkbar.)

I am a proponent of development as it leads to the possibility of much better public transport and means the suburban sprawl can be contained, saving our green spaces. Nevertheless I can’t understand why a fully functioning building is to be demolished when the adjacent building, not more than 2 metres away, which is a plumbing nightmare and probably needs to be demolished isn’t been targeted for redevelopment instead?

Affirmative Action Man said :

“All perfectly normal part of the building and development cycle.”

Curtin shopping centre is terrific as it is – it does not need a change.

Then I suggest that you go and buy the block and the shops and leave it the way it is. Otherwise you might consider not telling people what to do with their own property.

How would you feel if someone tried to stop you from painting your gutters because in their opinion your house “is terrific as it is – it does not need a change”?

By “developers” do you mean the people who own those shops and the associated lease? The ones that paid for it? The ones with the legal rights to seek to maximise their investment through the legal avenues available to them? Those developers.

Affirmative Action Man said :

“All perfectly normal part of the building and development cycle.”

Yes and pigs might fly too. Fair dinkum I reckon developers would stick units in public swimming pools and kindi rooms if they could.

This seems a back door way to build a monstrosity of a swag of units but appease the public by including retail shops as well.

Curtin shopping centre is terrific as it is – it does not need a change.

+10

“All perfectly normal part of the building and development cycle.”

Yes and pigs might fly too. Fair dinkum I reckon developers would stick units in public swimming pools and kindi rooms if they could.

This seems a back door way to build a monstrosity of a swag of units but appease the public by including retail shops as well.

Curtin shopping centre is terrific as it is – it does not need a change.

thehutch said :

Reading through the statement against criteria, it appears the plan is to have retail/commercial/offices on ground floor and I assume residential above (if I am reading this correct).

The drama here is what?

They are applying to vary the lease to add non-retail commercial and residential above. All perfectly normal part of the building and development cycle.

Where on earth did you get the idea that retail would be lost? Ground floor retail is a requiremnet under the zoning and such cannot be varied through the lease.

No reason to whip ones-self into a lather.

Sending an email is a waste of time.

Write a letter to ACTPLA stating your objections. You must include how you are an affected party.

As in all things governmental and bureaucracy driven, its all about the process. The developer will be well aware of the process.

Clicking like on facebook and sending an email will make you feel better, but you will fail.

The ACTPLA website will inform you on how to object to a DA.

Reading through the statement against criteria, it appears the plan is to have retail/commercial/offices on ground floor and I assume residential above (if I am reading this correct).

The drama here is what?

So what exactly is on the development application? What is being put in other than units and offices? I reckon there’s more to the story.

longshanks said :

Moose said :

No!!! That’s so horrible!! Those takeaway joints make the best tropical burgers, and the pizza joint is amazing. I still remember going in there with 50 cents as a kid and picking up a whole swag of lollies. Curtin shops should not be made into apartments. How dare they!

Yep, I can remember when 50 cents used to get you heaps of lollies! I also remember saving up to buy my first ever Spider (i.e. ice cream soda) when I was about 7 at the Curtin Milk Bar. And my grandpa used to swear that their ham and pineapple pizzas were the best in the world. Vince (the owner) was sorely missed when he died suddenly, and that whole block of shops will be sorely missed if it gets taken out.

I think that Vince’s wife still owns the shop and works there (could be wrong of course). Very sad if this shopping centre goes.

Moose said :

No!!! That’s so horrible!! Those takeaway joints make the best tropical burgers, and the pizza joint is amazing. I still remember going in there with 50 cents as a kid and picking up a whole swag of lollies. Curtin shops should not be made into apartments. How dare they!

Yep, I can remember when 50 cents used to get you heaps of lollies! I also remember saving up to buy my first ever Spider (i.e. ice cream soda) when I was about 7 at the Curtin Milk Bar. And my grandpa used to swear that their ham and pineapple pizzas were the best in the world. Vince (the owner) was sorely missed when he died suddenly, and that whole block of shops will be sorely missed if it gets taken out.

I would have thought that Curtin was one of the few smaller shopping centres that actually showed a sustainable balance between a large supermarket chain and small shops.

No!!! That’s so horrible!! Those takeaway joints make the best tropical burgers, and the pizza joint is amazing. I still remember going in there with 50 cents as a kid and picking up a whole swag of lollies. Curtin shops should not be made into apartments. How dare they!

The redevelopment mongrels just never stop. They are relentless. No units – keep the shops. Curtin has a great little shopping centre It is the heart & soul of the community.

The Curtin shops are really great little shops – I hope that they don’t get demolished at all. You have my support JulieA so I’ll send off a email today.

Good luck – it would be such a shame to see this go.