Developer Cylinder Cove reveals plans to demolish Gympie shops, build fast food outlet

A popular strip of food outlets in the centre of Gympie is the latest building in line for a major overhaul. Here’s what is proposed to replace them.

A busy string of cafes and takeaway stores on the Bruce Highway near Central Shopping Centre and McDonald’s is in line for a major redevelopment, with plans to transform five of the six shops into a sleek new fast food outlet.

Developer Cylinder Cove has asked Gympie Regional Council for approval to redevelop the six shop building opposite the shopping centre into a single outlet complete with a drive through lane and outdoor dining area.

The application says a tenant has been secured for the new outlet, but does not name them.

The strip, located at the corner of the Bruce Highway and Excelsior Rd, has been home to shops including Tramcars Bakery, Kebabs Gympie, and the now closed Johnny Dees.

A Subway outlet at the strip would remain under the redevelopment.

Subway will be the only one of the six shops on the block to remain under the proposed development, with the rest to be torn down and replaced.

The other five shops will be torn down.

Sixteen parking spaces will be provided, along with space for 12 cars to queue in the drive through lanes.

Cylinder Cove’s application says the Department of Transport and Main Roads raised concerns about the impact on the already busy intersection.

The developer said the new building, having half the floor space of the existing building, would cut traffic by about half.

Cylinder Cove’s development application says a tenant has been found for the new outlet, if it is approved, but does not name them.

When combined with an expected drop in vehicle numbers once the Gympie Bypass opens in mid-2024, traffic at the intersection would be “significantly” improved, the application says.

Traffic will no longer be able to turn right while leaving on to Excelsior Rd.

If approved it would be the second major redevelopment by Cylinder Cove in Gympie.

The company is currently developing the former site of the Southside Store on Exhibition Rd into a service station.