Council planning coordinator Cecily Hancock said that the amendments sought to provide for additional staff parking, a reduction in the driveway gradient for service vehicles and for the project to be completed in three stages.

The supermarket would remain the top priority with the specialty shops to be completed as tenancies allowed.

The amended plans and site layout are now on exhibition at council’s main office in Bega and at Merimbula library until October 21.

Ms Hancock said that the modified DA, submitted by Fabcot Pty Ltd c/- Restifa & Partners for Woolworths, would be determined by staff delegation sometime in November.

The development will occupy the land at the corner of Sapphire Coast Drive and Tura Beach Drive next to the existing Tura Beach shopping centre and garden centre.

It includes 200 customer car spaces plus 20 staff car parking spaces, and separate customer and service vehicle entry and exit points.

Woolworths has indicated that it is keen for the construction of the supermarket to start early in 2010.

The council approved the DA for the supermarket in April this year when it was lodged by the former owner of the site, the Sydney-based AusPacific Property Group.

Woolworths bought the site from AusPacific in late August.