Coles Annerley: Supermarket approved but traffic issues remain

Despite the approval of the Brisbane inner-south supermarket, significant traffic management issues on one of the city’s busiest arterial roads remain.

A massive new Coles supermarket and Liquorland has been approved by council for Brisbane inner-south more than a year since plans were first lodged, but the project still faces significant headwinds as the parties try to agree on traffic management issues.

First lodged in January last year by developer Capital Transactions Pty Ltd, plans for the four-storey Coles supermarket at 776 – 792 Ipswich Rd, Annerley, at the corner of Aubigny St, were approved on February 12 this year.

Architect's render of a new Coles supermarket and Liquorland at 776-792 Ipswich Rd, Annerley. Picture: Development.i/ POWE Architects

However, despite the go-ahead, the project still faces turbulence which may significantly delay the onset of construction, most pressingly massive questions around the intersection of Ipswich and School roads, which is currently a T-intersection.

Under the proposal, access to and exit from the supermarket’s basement parking via Ipswich Rd southbound and School Rd would be through a new entrance opposite School Rd, thereby creating a four-way intersection.

To facilitate this, the intersection would be upgraded with additional traffic signals, new signal phases and a left-turn sliplane on Ipswich Rd southbound.

Proposed upgrade to the intersection of Ipswich and School roads, Annerley. Picture: Development.i/ Lambert & Rehbein

Two additional pedestrian crossings would also be created, one on the northern leg of Ipswich Rd parallel to the existing southern leg crossing and one across the new entrance to the basement carpark.

There has been furious debate between the parties over this intersection after council accused the developer of wishing to facilitate a right-hand turn from Ipswich Rd northbound into the basement carpark.

“Council does not intend to accommodate a right turn (north bound) for this site as part of Ipswich Rd corridor upgrade,” council planners said in an email to traffic engineering consultants.

“This four-way intersection was not considered in the long term plan, with this intersection planned as a T-intersection.

“As this right turn will only service the proposed development it should be constructed as non-trunk works upon commencement of use.”

Architect's render of a new Coles supermarket and Liquorland at 776-792 Ipswich Rd, Annerley. Picture: Development.i/ POWE Architects

However, traffic engineers on behalf of the developer noted the right hand turn from Ipswich Rd “does not form part of this application”.

Instead, they propose that access to the supermarket from Ipswich Rd northbound would be via a right hand turn onto quiet Aubigny St.

“The existing right turn lane at Aubigny St has been shown to have sufficient capacity to adequately meet the demands of both the background and design traffic volumes in the 10-year design horizon,” the engineers said.

Council also questioned the need for the additional proposed pedestrian crossing on the northern leg of Ipswich Rd.

“Though it’s desirable to have pedestrian crossing at all legs of the intersection, further consideration should be given whether pedestrian crossing on the northern leg is really warranted,” they said in the email.

“The northwest catchment only includes a few houses on School Rd and the park.

“Including the pedestrian crossing on the northern leg will have implication on signal phasing.”

The difficulties in finalising these traffic plans have arisen due to the uncertainty of the specifications and timing of a future widening of the Ipswich Rd corridor.

Per the council email to the developer: “The (traffic engineering) report assumed that the ultimate road widening will be achieved in short term and they have to match with the ultimate corridor upgrade.

“This interpretation is incorrect as Ipswich Rd corridor is an LTIP (Long Term Infrastructure Plan – i.e. no earlier than June 30, 2026) item and it may be a while before the ultimate alignment is achieved given the constraints from nearby heritage sites and parks.

“An interim solution needs to be provided that works for both external traffic operation and internal traffic flow.”

A Coles Group spokesman said the company was excited for what the supermarket would bring to the suburb.

“Subject to final approvals, a new Coles supermarket on Ipswich road in Annerley will create hundreds of local retail and construction jobs for the local community,” they said.

“The proposed development represents a multimillion-dollar investment in Annerley, and would offer residents more choice, great value and an enhanced shopping experience.”

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