A proposal for a new Woolworths supermarket in a hinterland town has drawn opposition from some residents as it progresses to the council decision phase.
The development is planned for a 6.6-hectare site at 125 Myall Street, Cooroy, and includes a supermarket, specialty retail and services tenancies, and a 126-place residential care home.
Woolworths first lodged a development application with Noosa Council in 2024, submitted by Project Urban on behalf of Fabcot Pty Ltd, with public notification ending in early August 2025.
The State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) has extended the referral agency assessment period until June 30 after requesting further information to assess the application.
The proposal includes a material change of use for a residential care facility, shopping centre, food and drink outlet, health care centre and indoor sport and recreation, as well as reconfiguring the site from one lot into three lots and an access easement.
In a statement, Woolworths said the project had been shaped by community input and designed to reflect the local character of the area.
“Through our planning and preparation of a Development Application (DA) for a supermarket and other complementary uses, we have actively responded to local community input about additional services that would enrich and support the Cooroy and hinterland lifestyle,” the statement said.
“Our proposal includes ‘timber and tin’ materials and other heritage-style architectural features to integrate into Cooroy’s hinterland village design, with an emphasis on sustainability.”
It said the supermarket would deliver jobs and improve local convenience for residents.
“A full-line supermarket will also reduce the need for residents to travel outside Cooroy to complete a large shop,” it said.
Due to current state government legislation, the supermarket would operate Monday to Saturday.
“Customer convenience will be provided through shaded on-site car parking and a dedicated Direct to Boot service for groceries ordered online,” it said.
However, the proposal has faced opposition from the Cooroy Area Residents Association.
In a submission to Noosa Council, association president Rod Ritchie said the application should be refused, arguing it is inconsistent with The Noosa Plan 2020.
“The site is zoned ‘Community Facilities’. This supermarket proposal, and up to 15 associated shops, does not meet the overall intended outcomes sought for this zone,” he said.
Mr Ritchie the location of the development outside the town centre was also a key concern.
“The proposed supermarket and shops would be located 1.2km outside Cooroy’s business district. However, the Local Area Plan Code limits the expansion of retail and commercial functions to the land within the District Centre zone.”
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Mr Ritchie also raised concerns about the scale of the proposal, pointing to existing supermarkets in the region.
“Cooroy already has two IGA supermarkets and a fruit shop and there are three other Woolworths supermarkets in the shire,” he said.
Traffic, safety and amenity impacts were also raised, including concerns about congestion and heavy vehicle movements.
“Existing problems with congestion at the Elm/Myall streets intersection would be greatly exacerbated if this proposal were allowed,” he said.
He added that relocating a development of this scale away from the town centre would have broader impacts on local businesses, property values, and the character of Cooroy.
“Siting this large-scale supermarket at the southern entry to Cooroy would greatly detract from the village character and aesthetic amenity of our town,” he said.
