Woolworths releases fresh Mosman plans after backlash
There was uproar in some quarters earlier this year when Woolworths announced it was planning on opening in Mosman. But the retail giant has not given up and has revealed a fresh proposal.
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Woolworths has released fresh plans for Mosman after the community launched a campaign against the supermarket giant.
The company went back to the drawing board and instead of a full-sized supermarket, it is now planning a smaller store on Military Rd.
“In response to community feedback over the past year, we have revised our plans for the site and will soon lodge a development application for a new small format Woolworths Metro store,” head of property development Andrew Loveday said.
“We will be engaging closely with the community on our plans in the next few weeks.”
The company said the development will be “substantially smaller” than a full supermarket and will “integrate seamlessly” into the existing village feel. This style of shop caters for people looking for on-the-go food and top up shops, and similar stores can be found in Rozelle and Erskineville.
The 500sq m ground floor store will be located at 731-741 Military Road – between the Westpac bank and the Mosman Club.
Woolworths plans to lodge a development application with Mosman Council by the end of the year.
The heritage shopfronts will be restored and the upper level will be used for storage and offices.
There will be extra carparking spaces and about two deliveries a day by smaller trucks alongside direct vendor van deliveries.
Mosman Mayor Carolyn Corrigan said Woolworths really listened to the community and that the proposal is a substantially different offering.
“It was a relief they have addressed so many issues the community was concerned about,” Cr Corrigan said.
“I imagine there is still going to be concern in the community. The big concerns are about parking and traffic.”
She added that the plans were light on parking but that this would be addressed during the DA process.
Mosman Club is beside the Woolworths-owned properties and CEO Gerard Boyle said it does not have a position on the new plans.
“We will review the DA application when it is presented,” Mr Boyle said.
“The club remains an interested neighbour.”
Mark Longhurst is a member of the Mosman Village Community group, which led a vocal opposition campaign against the supermarket this year.
“I personally feel Woolworths in Mosman is a bad idea full stop,” Mr Longhurst said.
“Once they are in they will try to expand.”
Mr Longhurst was speaking from a personal perspective and not on behalf of the group.
A Woolworths community information drop-in session is taking place in Mosman Art Gallery on December 4 from 6-9pm.