NeuBau Group lodges new Coles Palmwoods proposal

A Sunshine Coast suburb which has rapidly grown in population could soon have its first major supermarket following a major development bid for the area.

New Coles supermarket proposed for Palmwoods.

Plans have been revealed for a new Coles supermarket to service residents living in a Sunshine Coast suburb who currently travel 10km to their nearest shopping centre.

Town planners Urban Project lodged the development application on behalf of NeuBau Group with Sunshine Coast Council, proposing to deliver Palmwoods’ first major supermarket.

The application shows the new supermarket would be a single-storey 3869sq m building with adjoining bottle shop on 22 Palmwoods-Montville Rd.

NeuBau Group director Tim Reed said if approved, the project would create in excess of 550 jobs directly and indirectly.

The current closest full-line supermarkets are Coles Nambour, and White’s IGA Forest Glen, both about 10km or a 12-15 minute drive away from Palmwoods.

Artist concepts of the new Coles proposed for Palmwoods, including shopfront and Click and Collect area.

Mr Reed said NeuBau Group was aware of the “very apparent need for a full-line supermarket” within the suburb and believed the site was most suitable for the development.

“The fact Coles are committed to our development and the application journey further demonstrates the immense need in the area,” he said.

Mr Reed said the catchment area has a population of more than 16,000 and it is uncommon for a suburb of 8000 people, half the size of Palmwoods, to not have a supermarket.

“The need in Palmwoods is significant and essentially could cater for two full-line supermarkets,” he said.

“There is currently an estimated 85 per cent of main-trade area food and grocery spending leaving the Palmwoods area.

“I believe the project warrants positive feedback as it is something that the area requires.

If approved, Coles would be the sole tenant of the project, with Liquorland taking up the space of the bottle shop.

“We purposely did not offer further specialities to the tenant as we wanted to support the existing small business owners within the Palmwoods town centre,” Mr Reed said.

Site plan for a new Coles proposed for Palmwoods.

The application stated currently retail expenditure would travel outside of Palmwoods as residents travel to larger centres outside of the suburb for food and grocery needs.

By providing the opportunity for grocery shopping for Palmwoods, it is likely trips to larger centres would be minimised and expenditure for other needs would be redirected to small Palmwoods businesses, the application states.

“That, on balance, enhances the local shopping experience and supports the viability and vitality of the local centre,” application documents stated.

If approved, the development would include 198 car spaces, six designated for disabled parking, three motorcycle slots and 22 bicycle spaces.

“We are excited about the development and hope it is well received by council as it is very evident that a full-line supermarket has been needed in Palmwoods for some time now,” Mr Reed said.