A major Australian supermarket retailer is “excited” about the prospect of opening a new store on the Sunshine Coast.
Coles has plans to launch its 14th grocery outlet in the region: in the heart of growing hinterland town Palmwoods.
A development application was lodged by NeuBau Group to build the store on the northern side of the junction of Margaret and Churchill streets.
A Coles spokesperson said the groceries giant and the town would be a good fit.
“Coles is constantly evaluating its store network to ensure we are delivering the best shopping experience for customers,” they said.
“Coles is excited about the prospect of providing a new supermarket in Palmwoods that would both offer a great new location for customers to shop as well as supporting hundreds of new local retail and construction jobs for the community.
“We’ll be sure to keep the community informed of any progress on the proposed local supermarket.”
The “low-rise” supermarket would be on a 17,269sqm site, with floor space of 3615sqm.
A bottle shop would also be at the facility, and there would be room for 198 car spaces, with a large click-and-collect area.
NeuBau Group director Tim Reed said Palmwoods needed a major supermarket.
“The primary catchment area for this site has a population of over 16,000 people,” he said.
“It is uncommon for a suburb with a population of 8000 people to not have a supermarket.
“The need in Palmwoods is significant. (It) essentially could cater for two full-line supermarkets.
“There is currently an estimated 85 per cent of main trade, like food and grocery spending, leaving the area.
“It would service the large need and population growth of Palmwoods, as well as some of the surrounding suburbs.
“It would hopefully help retain customers that currently travel else where to shop.
“I believe the project warrants positive feedback as it is something that the area requires.”
He said the planned store would not adversely affect existing local businesses.
“It is a stand-alone supermarket with no specialties,” he said.
“We purposely did not offer specialties to the tenant as we did not want to take away from the small business operators of Palmwoods.”
The developer’ assessment report said the supermarket would be “ideally located on a major road” about 100m from the centre of town.
It also said the store’s appearance would suit its surrounds.
“The design is sympathetic and compatible to the existing character of Palmwoods and does not adversely affect scenic routes or significant view lines,” it said.
Mr Reed did not provide estimated costings of the build but said it would lead to job opportunities.
“If approved, the development will create in excess of 550 jobs both directly and indirectly,” he said.
CCN Architects is undertaking the design and a builder will be considered if the application is successful.
NeuBau Group also recently lodged a development application for a hospital on the Sunshine Coast.
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