Flower Power: ‘Bonds’ Terrey Hills garden centre to be bulldozed for $14m redevelopment

Much of a popular long standing northern beaches’ garden centre is set to be bulldozed as part of its $14m makeover. See the plans.

An artist's impression of the proposed $14 million redevelopment of the Flower Power “Bond’s” outlet on Mona Vale Rd, Terrey Hills. Picture: Supplied

A popular northern beaches’ garden centre is set to be bulldozed to make way for its $14m makeover.

Plant nursery chain, Flower Power, won approval to redevelop its longstanding store at Terrey Hills despite a concerted local community pushback.

The revamped complex, known locally as the Bond’s Nursery, on Mona Vale Rd will be expanded to new retail areas — including a fruit shop and pet shop leased to tenants — and new cafes.

Flower Power, Australia’s largest retail garden centre chain, said the massive makeover was prompted by the ageing state of the current building which “no longer met customer needs”.

Sections of the current complex, taken over by Flower Power in 1998, would be demolished, according to documents lodged with the development application.

An artist's impression of a redeveloped Flower Power complex on Mona Vale Rd, Terrey Hills.

But locals have been lobbying planning authorities for more than two years to halt the expansion amid concerns about increased traffic and noise; pedestrian safety around nearby Terrey Hills Public School and negative impacts on the nearby bridle (horse) trail.

An original redevelopment application was lodged in early 2022, but withdrawn in November of that year. An amended DA was lodged in September last year.

The redevelopment incorporating a main garden centre, indoor and outdoor cafes, a children’s play area, an outdoor plant area and pots’ zone.

Access from Mona Vale Rd will also be closed, with vehicles to enter and exit from Cooyong and Myoora roads.

An artist's impression of the redeveloped Flower Power complex to stretch from Mona Vale Rd, at the front, to Myoora Rd, in the rear. Picture: Supplied

There were 83 submissions opposed to the DA. All submissions were received prior to amended plans and documentation received by Northern Beaches Council in April.

In its assessment report, the council noted that the amended plans “represent a lesser environmental impact”.

Terrey Hills Progress Association president, Paul Davenport, wrote in a submission that it had concerns with the effect of increased traffic on residents and the local road network, due to the closure of access from Mona Vale Rd.

Mr Davenport wrote that the Myoora Rd driveway was “within metres of a bus stop, used by public and school buses daily, and immediately opposite a primary school”.

“We consider the risk of an accident under these circumstances to be extremely high … and consider that the proposed access point is in an extremely dangerous position.”

Secretary of the Duffys Forest Residents Association, David Harris, wrote that local roads were “not suitable to handle the heavy trucks and a large volume of traffic that will enter and exit the centre”.

A diagram of the layout of the redeveloped Flower Power outlet at Terrey Hills. Picture: Supplied

“(It) puts at risk the safety of the entire community, particularly children,” Mr Harris stated.

Duffys Forest resident Leah Walsh had concerns with the safety of horses and riders using the bridal trial adjacent to Cooyong Rd.

“As a horse owner, I do not support any modification to the DA that will obstruct the Bridle Trail.

“I understand that this is proposed to be a temporary measure during redevelopment, however, I do not support any disruption which impacts the safety of horse riders using this trail to access JJ Hills Memorial Reserve Pony Club Grounds.”

The DA was passed on to the independent Northern Beaches Local Planning Panel due to the high number of public submissions.

The panel granted DA approval on June 6.

Flower Power stated in DA documents that the existing outlet no longer had sufficient capacity to meet the company’s business model which “seeks to provide a range of complimentary uses as part of the garden centre”.

The centre would trade from 7am to 7pm seven days a week, reducing to 5.30pm during the winter months.