The developer who wants to build Eumundi’s first major supermarket is promising to keep the structure hidden behind tall trees so as not to visually spoil the gateway to the village.
The 1472sqm supermarket complex would be located on the edge of town at the southern entrance to the hinterland community on 10 Memorial Drive.
Anticipating potential community backlash, a report says positioning the supermarket on the outskirts would have a less detrimental impact on the village’s character and streetscape than if it were to be built in the main hub.
However, the block of land, which sits like an ‘island’ surrounded on all sides by roads, is currently zoned rural, which does not permit retail development.
Altum Constructions has lodged an application with Sunshine Coast Council for a Material Change of Use to allow a shopping centre there, saying Eumundi’s town area does not have enough land.
“There is insufficient developable land within the Eumundi Local Centre to accommodate the proposed development,” says a report by Project Urban submitted to council.
The new Eumundi shopping precinct proposes a supermarket of 1200sqm and three small specialty shops, plus public amenities and 76 carparks.
The proponent claims there is “strong demand and economic need” for the supermarket development because residents currently have to drive to Yandina, Cooroy or Noosa to get groceries.
Grocery retailers such as The Store have been labelled “niche” and the closest major supermarket is the Supa IGA at Cooroy, about 11km away.
“The proposed development seeks to meet an apparent need for easily accessible supermarket and associated speciality retail facilities within an area that is currently lacking access to such needs,” says an economic report by bull + bear economics.
“As a result, residents within the identified trade area must travel a significant distance to access a supermarket or convenience-based speciality retail of any significant size or range.”
The report claims the shops would achieve sales of $14.68 million in 2025, increasing to $16.05 million in 2029, and would create 44 direct jobs and 10-12 indirect jobs.
The report says the buildings would be low rise with a maximum height of about 6.5 metres.
The complex would be located outside the town centre to avoid impacting the main street.
“The site’s location out of the town centre also ensures that residents can access convenience goods without the congestion that sometimes arises within Eumundi due to visitors to the Eumundi markets,” says the report.
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The architect Blackburne Jackson is proposing to “reinforce” the character of Eumundi town through design elements such as exposed timber and profiled metal cladding, a parapet facade and shopfront awning.
More than 10 per cent of the site would be landscaped with “deep planting” and include large shade trees to 15m high, medium shade trees to 8m high, screening shrubs, feature foliage and groundcovers.
The landscaping would “assist in softening the built form of the proposed development, provide scenic amenity benefits and contribute to a sense of entry to the town, which is not currently achieved with the open grass paddock.”
