This area, near Northbank, was identified in a 2011 retail audit as a perfect bulky goods precinct.

With two other large bulky goods outlets also planned for the site, it should reassure Launceston ratepayers that there is a role for strategic planning in the city's development.

While not part of the CBD, this area is still close enough to the city to attract shoppers from regional Northern Tasmania.

It will become a destination in its own right just as the CBD should be a destination for top-end retail and restaurants.

The Launceston City Council commissioned Jeff Wolinski to compile the 2011 audit so that its decisions were evidence-based rather than on emotion alone.

Part of the debate back in 2011-12 was a proposal by Woolworths to build a Big W, supermarket and shopping arcade opposite Bunnings at Connector Park.

While Launcestonians are extremely keen to see Big W in the city, the retail audit found that building this complex at Connector Park would have defied good planning and decimated Kings Meadows as a shopping precinct.

Woolworths has since dropped that site and has committed to land near its supermarket at Kings Meadows, which has been significantly modernised with a new car park.

Kings Meadows has been identified as a future shopping destination rather than just a commuter through-road and a comprehensive traffic plan is part of that project.

Yes, there are peak times when traffic is congested but this is nothing compared with proper traffic jams experienced interstate.

Commuters should also be encouraged to used the Southern Outlet to avoid Kings Meadows.

If and when Big W comes to Kings Meadows, Launceston ratepayers should be confident that it is part of a planned development as we have now seen with the Officeworks announcement near Northbank.