The Websdale Drive and Arthur Summons Street corner is in the running to become the site of the newest IGA supermarket in Dubbo but some neighbours say the area will not cope with the increased traffic it will bring.

The $1.25 million development was formally amended to exclude a liquor store from the original proposal yesterday, the same day as residents’ concerns were aired in the Daily Liberal.

Dubbo mayor Greg Matthews said it was probably due to the fact that the liquor store was causing the most angst in the community.

The development application (DA), prepared by Hill Lockart Architects of Tamworth, is on display at Dubbo City Council chambers until Thursday.

The plan’s authors have tried to calm fears with promises of noise reduction measures.

The plans include major truck entry from Arthur Summons Place and exit on Websdale Drive.

Customer vehicle entry and exit will be from Arthur Summons Place and small delivery vehicle entry from Arthur Summons and exit at either Arthur Summons or Websdale.

Nearby resident Geoff Floyd said Arthur Summons Place was too narrow for the development’s entrance.

Georgina Edwards, who is relatively new to the area, was not embracing the thought of more traffic in the streets.

“We liked the quiet neighbourhood, it’s nice at the moment,” she said.

She was not completely against the development.

Troy Redding said, as a former resident of Sydney, the trucks would not bother him, but he did have qualms with general traffic.

“My only concern is traffic on Websdale - we need speed humps,” he said, pointing to a particularly bad spot.

“The young people go so fast along there, it frightens me.”

Some people said their reaction to the development would depend on the hours it operated, while others welcomed the new facility.

The development application states that the intended hours are Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm, Sunday 9am to 8pm and public holidays 9am to 8pm.

The plans include onsite parking for 57 cars.

The DA also addresses the likely impact of the development’s noise on the area.

“Noise generated shall primarily come from truck movements to the loading dock and plant noise from the plant room to the southern side of the site,” the DA states.

The developers say an acoustic fence will be provided to the extent of the boundaries adjacent to the truck area and acoustic treatments will also be incorporated in the plant room construction to reduce impact on adjoining residential properties.

“We believe the proposal takes into consideration council’s and the public interests and concerns and will have no significant adverse effects on the surrounding precinct,” the DA says.

faye.wheeler@ruralpress.com