Woolworths launch Land and Environment Court challenge against North Sydney Council over Neutral Bay supermarket rebuild

A Sydney council that has made headlines over plans for a massive rate rise has a new fight on its hands as supermarket giant Woolworths takes it to court over a multimillion supermarket redevelopment.

Court action is looming over the $169m development proposal (pictured above).

Woolworths is taking North Sydney Council to court over its multimillion development plans to redevelop a north shore supermarket into a high-rise apartment and shopping hub.

The supermarket giant appears to have run out patience with the north shore council as it launches a Land and Environment Court appeal in a bid to have long-running plans for its Neutral Bay supermarket determined.

The development has been in the works for more than two years, however has been subject to lengthy planning assessment by the council amid community concerns over the height and scale of the proposal.

The $169m proposal would see the existing supermarket on Rangers Rd demolished to make way for an eight storey building with 70 units, a redeveloped supermarket, shops, a public plaza, and basement parking with 326 car spaces.

The appeal was launched after the planning application was “deemed refused” by the council due to the length of time it was taking to make a decision on the proposal.

A concept image of the redevelopment.

A Woolworths spokesman confirmed the company has filed the appeal in the Land and Environment Court, adding that the project would “deliver benefits for the community such as an outdoor community-focused public plaza”.

“We look forward to the court’s decision in due course after years of detailed consultation with the community and council,” the spokesman said.

The appeal comes after plans attracted mixed reactions from residents with those opposed raising concerns over the height on the development which some neighbours fear could overshadow surrounding homes.

The development would include new units, shops and a public square.

There are also concerns the development does not comply with the council’s development control relating to parking provisions.

Woolworths has previously claimed that a community survey showed 57 per cent of residents expressed support for the redevelopment, with some shoppers describing the existing store as “rundown, tired, old, ugly” and in desperate need of upgrading.

The existing supermarket would be redeveloped as part of the proposal.

If approved, the development is expected to create up to 263 ongoing jobs and the new apartments would include a mix of one, two, three and four bedroom units.

The appeal follows the closure of the nearby Woolworths outlet on Grosvenor Lane in Neutral Bay which was closed down earlier this year following the expiry of the supermarket’s lease on the building.

North Sydney Council in a statement did not provide comments about the legal appeal, but stated the application is “complex and requires careful consideration of all relevant planning issues”.