Residents hit back over Coles plan to ditch truck ban during school pick-up, drop-off periods

Residents and childcare centre operators are opposing new development plans for a high-rise Coles outlet in Lindfield over concerns local streets will be turned into dangerous truck routes.

A concept image of the new Lindfield Coles development

Residents and childcare centre operators are opposing new development plans for a high-rise Coles outlet at Lindfield over concerns local streets will be turned into dangerous truck routes.

Concerns have been raised over newly released traffic plans for the $57.7m Coles supermarket development which reveal trucks will be able to access the site via residential roads during peak school periods.

The supermarket development was approved by the Land and Environment Court in August 2022 with conditions, including a limit of trucks accessing the site via Balfour St during school morning drop-off and afternoon pick up periods.

The local truck ban was designed for the “safety and amenity” of the area.

New development plans for the supermarket have now called for the ban – which applied between 8am to 9.30am and 2.30pm to 4.00pm on school days – to be dropped.

A concept image of the development

The planning application states the restriction on trucks during school drop-off and pick-up times on school days was “unreasonable” and could delay the completion of the high-rise development.

The move has sparked objections from local childcare centres and a church who have written to Ku-ring-gai Council raising concerns including safety.

The development will stand six storeys tall.

The submissions – including from Holy Family Catholic School and Highfields Preparatory & Kindergarten School – have argued the “use of heavy vehicles” could “impact accessibility and pedestrian safety”.

There are also concerns over increased traffic congestion, potential delays on roads for local motorists and potential traffic accidents.

The new development plans show an average of eight concrete truck deliveries would access the Coles site via Balfour St per hour during school morning and afternoon periods.

The plans – which have been lodged by developer PPI Lindfield Developments – have been referred to the Sydney North Planning Panel which is due to determine the proposal later this month.

The Coles development is located on the site of the former Coles outlet on the Pacific Hwy.

Once built, the development will stand six-storeys tall and include a new supermarket along with 70 apartments, a liquor store and basement parking.