Woolworths pushes forward with planned Mosman store after contamination find

Woolworths has jumped its latest hurdle in contentious plans to build a new supermarket in the Mosman town centre after contaminated groundwater and soil was discovered at the site.

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Woolworths is pushing ahead with contentious plans to open a new store in the Mosman town centre after contaminated soil and groundwater was discovered at the site.

The supermarket giant has released a detailed site investigation at the request of Mosman Council after historic contamination traced to the site’s former uses was detected in July this year

The discovery was the latest hurdle in Woolworths’ plans to redevelop six shops on Military Rd into the Metro style supermarket that would include a sushi bar, bakery, small cafe and a 20-space carpark.

A concept plan of the store.

A site investigation, conducted by JK Environment at the request of Woolworths, found substances on the site included arsenic and copper within the groundwater and soil, along with hydrocarbons and chromium.

JKE, in its findings, said concentrations of hydrocarbons did not pose an “immediate risk” while traces of arsenic within the groundwater were “likely a regional issue”.

The firm said the site could be made suitable for the proposed development and recommended Woolworths complete a HAZMAT survey for buildings on the site along with a remediation action plan that would include protocols for any “unexpected finds” during construction works.

An audit of the findings from the Environment Protection Authority stated hydrocarbons at the site did not warrant a remedial response and made a list of recommendations including relocating copper and zinc found beneath proposed landscaping works to under the store’s proposed car park.

An aerial view of the site.

The report traced the toxins to possible historic uses of the site including use of pesticides on the property, hazardous building materials within the existing shops and contamination from two former nearby motor mechanic outlet.

In a letter to the council on Wednesday, Woolworths regional development manager Nathan Dundović said the site was “suitable in its current state for the intended use.”

In a statement, the company said it was “committed to delivering a Woolworths Metro to the Mosman community.”

“We’re confident our application meets the planning framework and we look forward to council finalising its assessment,” Woolworths head of property development Andrew Loveday said.

“As part of that application we’ve provided environmental reports which will form part of the assessment process.”

The council was due to determine the proposed store by August 18 but gave Woolworths an extension until October 13 to complete the site investigation.

The extension came after the council sent the retailer a seven-page letter outlining 26 grounds of objection to the proposed supermarket including impacts on the heritage streetscape of the town centre.

A total of 536 residents have also provided feedback on the plan with a majority opposed due to concerns including traffic and potential impacts on nearby small traders.

A Mosman Council spokeswoman declined to comment on the site investigation report, saying “no information relating to the assessment will be released until the assessment process is finalised and the report is put forward for determination.”

The council is expected to hand down a determination on the store by November 18 – almost two years after the proposal was announced in 2018.

If approved, the store is scheduled to open next year and would employ up to 42 people.