Former Yaamba Rd Bunnings to be demolished for townhouses and Coles

A major grocery retailer has been given the green light to build a multi-million dollar shopping centre, showroom and 12 townhouses at the former Bunnings site in Rockhampton. See the plans, including demolition.

Renders by ThomsonAdsett of the now approved townhouse and shopping centre development at the former Bunnings site on Yaamba Rd in North Rockhampton.

It has been sitting vacant for five years but workers could soon be seen back at the old Bunnings site; albeit to demolish it.

Hardware giant Bunnings relocated further up Yaamba Road in North Rockhampton in 2018, leaving its former 8000 sqm warehouse building at 452-488 Yaamba Rd vacant.

Coles Property Group bought the entire 2.66ha site that year for $9.9 million and submitted multi-million dollar plans in June 2022 for a shopping centre, showroom and 12 four-bedroom townhouses.

Rockhampton's former Bunnings site has been listed for rent for a short-term lease for three years.

The development proposal came to the council table on June 13, as it did not meet some codes of the planning scheme.

A total of 10 submissions were received during the public notification period, six of which supported the proposal and four against.

It was discussed at the meeting and in the planning report that the matters “were considered to outweigh the conflicts”.

“The proposed development will not cause significant adverse impacts on the surrounding natural environment, built environment and infrastructure, community facilities, or local character and amenity,” the planning report said.

“The proposal nevertheless provides a much improved built form, land use activation and visual amenity when compared to the current built form and previous use on the site.”

Stage four: 12 four-bedroom townhouses facing Potts Street. Photos: ThomsonAdsett architecture

In relation to the 12 four-bedroom townhouses to face Potts St, the report noted it would provide “housing choice for people seeking to live in low-rise residential development, and also assists in softening housing pressures and by extension provides more affordable housing options for different socio-economic groups”.

Inside the 8,000 sqm warehouse building.

It was said at the council meeting the actual main warehouse building would be demolished as part of the works.

According to the site plan, the Coles supermarket and liquor store would be built over this area.

“The proposal will regenerate an existing vacant site. The proposal will bring the site back into beneficial use for the community. Therefore, would re-generate an untenanted, under-utilised, but strategically located commercial site in North Rockhampton,” the report stated.

Public submissions included concerns around inadequate parking supply, however the plans exceed peak parking demand.

A concern was also raised about amenity impact on the surrounding residential area, however it was noted the development mitigated visual impact and there would be acoustic treatments.

A submission was proposed around traffic and safety on Yaamba Rd, however the application was referred to TMR, as the representing body for the state-controlled road, which approved it.

Councillors enthusiastically shared praise for the development and councillors Shane Latcham and Donna Kirkland noted they were keen to see the housing built to alleviate the current housing crisis.

“It’s a very exciting announcement, the demand is there,” Mayor Tony Williams said.

Proposed site plan for the former Bunnings Warehouse site. Photos: ThomsonAdsett architecture

The approval was granted to be undertaken in four stages, with the first stage to be completed first and the following stages in any order.

Stage 1 will be the supermarket, liquor store and amenities.

Stage 2 will be the speciality store and outdoor store.

Stage 3 will be the showroom and extension to the shopping centre, with additional speciality stores, neighbouring the motel.

Stage 4 will be the 12 four-bedroom townhouses.

Renders for the proposed townhouses. Photos: ThomsonAdsett architecture

The approval has been granted for six years.

All vehicle access to the commercial development will be from Yaamba Rd only and the residential development from Potts St.

The commercial development has been limited to operate 8am to 9pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm on Saturday and 9am to 6pm on Sunday and public holidays.

Loading and unloading of delivery and waste collection vehicles is restricted to 6am to 10pm Monday to Sunday.

Coles were contacted for comment in the wake of the approval.

“Coles are pleased with the decision by Rockhampton Regional Council today to provide development approval for the construction of a new shopping centre, which will create hundreds of local retail and construction jobs,” a spokesperson said.

“The proposed development represents a multi-million dollar investment in the North Rockhampton region, offering residents more choice, great value and an enhanced shopping experience.”