Woolworths prepare to move in to booming region north of Brisbane

A retail giant is moving in to capitalise on the massive $9.5 billion Caboolture West precinct lodging plans to build a new shopping centre precinct – it follows years of council trying to keep them out of the suburb.

After years of council push back Woolworths have lodged plans to build a new shopping centre precinct in a booming suburb north of Brisbane.

The plan is to build the new precinct on a vacant lot at the corner of River Drive and Bellmere Road, Bellmere, on the cusp of the monster $9.5 billion Caboolture West development precinct.

Woolworths’ in-house property division Fabcott Pty Ltd bought the 1.97 hectare site in 2014 for $2.53 million.

A concept image of the proposed new Woolworths at Bellmere. PHOTO: PD ONLINE

It had lodged an application to build a shopping centre but withdrew it in 2017 following push back from Moreton Bay Regional Council.

Councillor Adam Hain (Div 3) said at the time he didn’t believe Bellmere had the housing density to support another shopping centre.

RELATED STORY: DEVELOPERS LODGE PLANS FOR THOUSANDS OF NEW HOMES AT CABOOLTURE WEST

He said he was concerned about the impact it would have on the existing Bellmere Village shopping precinct, across the road from the proposed new Woolworths.

“But since then a new service station and child care centre has been built on the opposite corner and it is developing into a large community hub,” Cr Hain said.

“There has been a lot of growth in the area and it will continue into Caboolture West.

“We can only push back against these things for so long.

A concept image of the proposed new shopping precinct at Bellmere. PHOTO: PD ONLINE

“I hope by the time it is built there will be enough demand in the area that everyone can still trade as a business.”

The Woolworths is proposed to take up 3176 sqm of the site, which will include a mezzanine office level.

There will be several other retail stores, a 24-hour gym, playground and 227 carparks.

The report states that the other tenants are unknown at this stage.

“It is likely that the speciality tenancies could be occupied by a variety of small businesses including, hairdresser, liquor store, clothing boutique, cafe, bakery, medical centre, physio or other allied health professional service, pathology collection centre, gymnasium, real estate office, bank branch or small professional consulting office – anything that could be reasonably expected to be seen in a local shopping centre,” the report stated.

RELATED STORY: NEW HOSPITAL APPROVED FOR BRIBIE ISLAND

A concept image of the proposed new shopping precinct at Bellmere which will include a Woolworths. PHOTO: PD ONLINE

Cr Hain said if approved the new centre would help ease traffic congestion into Morayfield – as Bellmere residents would no longer need to travel to Caboolture or Morayfield to shop at a major supermarket.

“You would think we were in an inner Brisbane suburb it has gotten that busy in Morayfield,” Cr Hain said.

A 3D render of the proposed new Woolworths at Bellmere. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

“We did what we could to hold it back as long as we could but the future has arrived.”

It is not the only big development coming to the area with Bunnings announcing plans to build a new warehouse at the Sungate Business Park on Pumicestone Rd.

“It is good for jobs and it is a booming area,” Cr Hain said.

A public consultation process regarding the application opened two weeks ago and will close on November 5.

Cr Hain said council officers would prepare a report for council consideration once the public consultation period had closed.