A NO right-hand turn provision briefly threatened to derail yesterday's planning approval for a $40 million Bunnings store at Invermay.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Several Launceston aldermen said they would not support the project if it meant a right-hand turn from Goderich Street into Lindsay Street was prohibited.
They felt there had not been enough consultation among aldermen and with affected businesses in that area to back the traffic measure.
In the lead-up to yesterday's Launceston City Council meeting other options for the intersection were discussed among aldermen and included a possible roundabout.
But last week aldermen learnt the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources would remove the right-hand turn once they approved the planning permit.
Council general manager Robert Dobrzynski said the department managed the road, but it would probably be happy to meet aldermen and discuss other options.
The provision, which was an informal note, was removed from the agenda, which saw aldermen unanimously back the 16,000-square-metre hardware store.
It's estimated 180 jobs will be created during construction with another 180 staff needed once it opens.
Alderman Tony Peck said it would be 1?sfr1/2 times the size of the Bunnings store at Connector Park and the 14-hectare site at Invermay would allow for future development.
Aldermen also approved an electricity-generating natural gas power plant, designed to save more than $300,000 a year, for the Launceston Aquatic Centre.
The centre lost $2.1 million last financial year with power costs a large burden on the pool.
Yesterday's decision did not determine whether the co-generator would be housed inside or out.
The machine would operate continuously and has drawn opposition from nearby landowners about noise.
A council assessment found it may result in an noise offence and a sound survey will be done once it is installed.