MEDIA RELEASE

NICK XENOPHON M.L.C.

INDEPENDENT NO POKIES MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

  25 June 2005

STIRLING WALKS

OVER HOT COLES ISSUE

·          Stirling District Residents Association Plan Protest March

·      

        On Saturday morning at 11am, visitors to the usually tranquil hills township of Stirling may be surprised at the sight of hundreds of irate residents involved in a street protest march.  The march is the latest avenue for residents to vent their anger at a proposal to build a large Coles supermarket/shopping complex just off Main Street in the Stirling township. 

      The residents’ main objections to this proposal are that it is totally out of character in size and style with the village atmosphere that they have been fighting so hard to retain for many years.  They are also concerned it will create traffic and pedestrian safety nightmares and result in the unnecessary removal of many trees with very significant historical value.

      Residents are also concerned that the redevelopment includes plans to shift the pokies room at the Stirling Hotel to the first floor of the hotel, so that it will be attached to the shopping centre by a covered walkway.

      No Pokies Campaign MLC Nick Xenophon will be joining the march and will address points of concern surrounding this very vexed local issue.