Neutral Bay Woolworths: first look at new 10 storey unit, supermarket, recreation hub

A mega Woolworths development featuring a market plaza, outdoor dining areas, playgrounds and high-rise units is set to transform a Sydney town centre. See the plans:

Supermarket giant Woolworths is embarking on its next north shore redevelopment with plans to turn a longstanding supermarket into a new shopping, unit and recreation hub.

The Neutral Bay Woolies outlet on Rangers Rd would be bulldozed to make way for three new buildings standing up to 10 storeys tall in a move the company said would provide a new shopping destination and “active” town centre.

The plans come amid ongoing debate over increased height limits in Neutral Bay with a majority of North Sydney councillors earlier this year knocking back the contentious Military Rd Planning Study which proposed buildings up to 12 storeys tall on several key sites including on the current Woolworths site.

A concept plan of the new development

The decision to rescind the plan was a sign of the shifting dynamics at the council resulting from December’s local government elections.

Fabcot – the development arm of Woolworths – is pushing ahead with the plans regardless, lodging a proposal that includes three separate buildings on the site – standing 10, seven and two storeys tall.

The development would include a new full-line 3,311m2 supermarket on the basement level, retail and commercial uses on the ground floor, 91 units on upper levels of the buildings and a rooftop garden area boasting a swimming pool.

The development includes a new arcade.

There would also be a new pedestrian arcade, public plaza with outdoor dining, children’s play areas, and basement parking with 350 spaces.

A total of $6.6 million in “public benefits” are included in the plans including water fountains, outdoor seating, a market square, lawn areas and hanging gardens.

It would also be aimed at boosting night time activity in the town centre with the water feature able to be transformed into a band stage for live performance to animate the space after dark.

A concept plan of what the development could look like.

Plans stated the development was in line with the Military Rd Planning Study and would “deliver significant community amenities” that would not be possible under a smaller-scale project.

Fabcot described the decision by councillors to rescind the Military Rd strategy as “unexpected”.

“Unfortunately, given the extent of work undertaken to date and the advanced nature of the planning proposal, Woolworths is in a position where it is unable to pause the project to wait for another 12-24 months while the council reviews the previously endorsed strategy to decide how it wants to proceed,” the plan stated.

The proposal would include a market square.

“The previously endorsed Military Rd Planning Study provides a clear indication of the council’s and community’s desire to see revitalisation and renewal of Neutral Bay town centre.

“This planning proposal has been designed to respond to that aspiration.”

Plans by Fabcot stated the development would create 288 direct jobs and boost the local economy by $12 million a year, and “reinforce and support the growth of Neutral Bay as a local centre”.

Outdoor dining would be encouraged as part of the development.

The company said the option of “doing nothing” would mean the site would not be able to “respond to the growing population” or “fit the strategic role of an urban renewal precinct.”

The proposal was lodged to North Sydney Council this week and is expected to undergo a lengthy that will include assessments by the Department of Planning.

Woolworths, in its plans, said it hopes to have the proposal approved by September next year.