WOOLWORTHS will use research that suggests Gordonvale has a gross undersupply of supermarket facilities when it attempts to woo the local business community next week.

The supermarket giant is continuing its bid to build a new shopping centre in the town and says a key driver is that the community has about half the supermarket floorspace per resident as other non-metropolitan centres.

A public information day will be held on Sunday and Woolworths senior managers brief the Mulgrave Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday.

The sessions come after Cairns Regional Council officers requested more information on the controversial project before it could reach the next phase of the development application process.

"Our research tells us that Gordonvale has around half the supermarket floorspace per resident as their counterparts in other non-metropolitan Queensland centres, and that many local residents drive considerable distances to do major grocery shopping," Woolworths’ community relations manager Simon Berger said.

Mr Berger said the Gordonvale West shopping centre – including a supermarket, petrol station, 10 to 12 speciality shops and two takeaway outlets – would create 200 retail jobs and 110 construction jobs.

"That equates to almost $6 million in wages and salaries for new retail jobs alone, not to mention the associated flow-on benefits to the region," he said.

Mulgrave Chamber of Commerce president Brett Moller said the group, which previously claimed the project was "like sticking a knife in the heart of Gordonvale and turning it slowly", would reserve its decision on the proposal until after Tuesday’s meeting.

"To fully inform ourselves, we will listen to Woolworths’ presentation, consider it and then make a statement." Mr Moller said.

Division 1 councillor Paul Gregory said he would also meet senior management on Monday to discuss the application.

Sunday’s information session will be held from 9am to 1pm at the proposed site on the corner of the Bruce Highway and Draper Rd.

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