Delayed Costco opening expected to contribute to traffic chaos at North Lakes over Christmas

Shoppers hoping Costco’s new Bundamba warehouse will help take the edge off traffic at North Lakes are in for some disappointment.

Crowds at Costco.

SHOPPERS hoping that Costco’s new Bundamba warehouse will help take the edge off traffic at North Lakes are in for some disappointment.

The company today announced its Bundamba store, expected to open in time for Christmas, will not open until the new year.

“Although the warehouse itself has progressed well, and despite the best efforts of our contractors, we cannot open until the roadwork upgrades and related services are completed,” Costco managing director Patrick Noone said in a letter to members.

“For this reason we will be delaying the opening until the new year, with a date to be announced.”

Dean and daughter Alicia 5 Hoey from Deception Bay joining up to Costco.

North Lakes has positioned itself as the shopping mecca of Moreton Bay with people expected to flock to the suburb from right across north Brisbane and beyond.

Shoppers can get their Costco and Ikea fix, alongside loads of homeware and hardware shops and one of the biggest Westfield shopping centres in the state, all in one place.

However, traffic coming to and from Costco and Bunnings on Cook Crt can be horrendous, particularly on weekends, let alone Christmas.

Aerial photos of Costco and Bunnings, North Lakes, taken in 2016. Picture: Richard Walker

The lack of turning lanes or intersection infrastructure along Cook Court with a busy petrol station and multiple driveway entrances and exits can lead to chaotic traffic conditions during busy periods.

Traffic has also been known to back up from Cook Crt all the way to Boundary Rd and this has been exacerbated by the opening of McDonalds on Flinders Drv.

Added to this, the Taco Bell on the corner of Flinders Drv and Diamond Jubillee Way is well on the way and the adjacent Total Tools hardware store has just opened its doors, with Lighting Illusions to follow soon.

That’s all before you factor in the new Sesame Lane child care centre that will be built nearby.

New Taco Bell store at Annerley, Taco Bell is opening a store at North Lakes. (AAP Image/Claudia Baxter)

Access to the new Taco Bell store is via a driveway on Flinders Drv, a short distance from the intersection with Diamond Jubilee Rd.

A Spokeswoman for Moreton Bay Regional Council said the council would investigate residents’ concerns about traffic at those intersections.

“Council will make an assessment for any necessary road upgrades once investigations are complete,” she said.

The Bunnings/Costco precinct at North Lakes continues to grow.

She said a requirement for the Total Tools and Taco Bell development was to extend the southbound right-turn lane on Diamond Jubilee Way, which has already been constructed.

No road upgrades were required as part of the child care development.