‘Town split’: Beerwah homemaker centre divides community

The fate of a proposed shopping centre in Beerwah remains unknown after community consultation wrapped up. 

A development application for a homemaker centre on Steve Irwin Way at Beerwah has just completed community consultation.

The fate of a proposed shopping centre in Beerwah remains unknown after community consultation wrapped up. 

Coles Group Property Developments lodged plans with Sunshine Coast Council last year for a Coles supermarket, McDonald's, a petrol station, retail showroom, gym and light industry development.

It was however knocked back at the time due to council's concerns with the proposal. 

Those concerns included:

● Loss of industrial land supply in Beerwah,

● suitability and availability of centre-zoned land in Beerwah,

● economic need and impact assessment, and

● external traffic impacts.

Changes have now been made to the application for the 11.29ha site, at the corner of Roys Rd and Steve Irwin Way.

 

New supermarket pitched for growing Coast suburb

 

Why Coles, McDonald's proposal was knocked back

 

Documents lodged with council show the proposal would provide a single full-line supermarket within a homemaker styled centre. 

No speciality shops are proposed for the site, with the report referencing a wide range of facilities and services in the existing Beerwah centre.

The consultation ran between the October 1 and November 16.

Glasshouse Country Chamber of Commerce president Jenny Broderick said opinions on the development continue to be divided. 

"Our members were actually split in their opinions on the proposal so because of that we had to remain neutral," Ms Broderick said.

"There are concerns that it would split the town, that it would take the business component outside of the business centre.

"Some members were concerned that if people are going to go to Coles they're not going to go in the centre of town to get the other things that they need.

"There was that concern that it would be the start of the big shops moving in and that it would take away that country feel and country culture we have."

Ms Broderick said many residents also looked at the positive side.

"People were just happy to have more business in the area and draw people to the area," she said. 

"At the end of the day we just want Glasshouse country the best it can be."

A Coles spokesperson said a new Coles supermarket and shopping centre at Beerwah would stimulate the local economy.

"It would create approximately 500 construction jobs and more than 100 local retail jobs," the spokesperson said.

"The proposed development represents a multimillion-dollar investment in the Sunshine Coast region, offering residents more choice, great value and a new local shopping destination."

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