Public welcome at pivotal meeting for Kmart proposal

But the community will have to wait a little longer for a final decision.

The retail giant has $17.6 million plans to develop a Kmart store, specialty shops, car parking and associated infrastructure on a prime slice of land.

The development application will go before the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's Development Assessment Panel today in one more step in the planning process.

The meeting, which is open to the public, begins at 2pm at the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council building in Burrawan Street.

The panel will consider the proposal, and if all goes to plan, the development application with a panel-endorsed recommendation will then make its way to a full council meeting for a final decision.

Key aspects of the proposed development include a Kmart store incorporating specialty retail shops adjacent to the northern elevation and a mezzanine level which can be adapted for uses including outdoor cinema.

There would be 375 car parking spaces with access from Park and Warlters streets. Other shops, with a floor area of 276 square metres, are planned in the area fronting Park Street.

Kmart has entered into a voluntary planning agreement which includes provisions about aspects of future site development including the east-west pedestrian connection, main street, town square, intersection works and Warlters Street upgrade works. The development is earmarked for land fronting Park and Warlters Streets, formerly the site of St Joseph's Regional High School.

The site shares boundaries with St Joseph's Primary School and Port Shores Retail Centre.

The report before the panel said the external facade responded to the maritime context and included a combination of natural materials including timber, stone and green walls. This has been juxtaposed with modern elements of glass and concrete.