Plans for a 100,000 square foot shopping centre along Beacon Avenue at Stirling Way in Sidney have taken a major step forward following a key decision by the Agricultural Land Commission.

In mid-2015 the Victoria Airport Authority (VAA), in partnership with property development and construction firm Omicron, revealed their vision for Sidney Gateway, a significant retail development on the eastern edge of the Victoria International Airport's grounds. However, prior to the undertaking of formal municipal planning and community consultation the land had to be excluded from the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR). The decision was handed down on Monday, January 11.

Speaking with Citified in August of last year the VAA's Vice-President of Operations and Development, James Bogusz, noted that while Sidney's official community plan had envisioned a commercial development at the proposed site, the project hinged on the Agricultural Land Commission's (ALC) decision to support an exclusion of the land from the ALR.

"Sidney's official community plan envisions a commercial use for that parcel of land, so really what we're doing is proposing a project that is in-keeping with the town's own plans supported by residents of the area," Bogusz said in reference to the pending ALC decision.

With the exclusion secured, the VAA will now proceed with a formal municipal planning process together with public consultation, although concrete dates for presentations to Sidney council and members of the public have yet to be announced.

A future Sidney highway interchange at Beacon Avenue and the Pat Bay Highway will be accommodated, Bogusz confirmed, adding that the VAA's and Omicron's development plans will be in accordance with future highway improvements. C

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