Woolworths plan for Albemarle Ave, Rose Bay development

Woolworths has turned property developer and is looking to Rose Bay for a four-storey project. But neighbours and the nearby school have concerns.

Rose Bay is the latest suburb earmarked by Woolworths as the company branches into property development with the supermarket giant already consulting neighbours over plans.

Woolworths has bought both the old Caltex on the corner of Old South Head Road and Albemarle and the adjoining residential block at 30 Albemarle Ave.

The company is understood to have engaged well regarded architects PBD to begin drawing up plans for a four-storey development including a “small scale” store over two levels and 20 boutique apartments plus three levels of basement parking.

The shaded area shows the two sites owned by Woolworths.

It is believed much of 30 Albemarle Ave site would be dedicated to landscaping in order to create a “buffer” between the development and neighbouring residential.

More than 40 residents of Albemarle Ave have formed the Rose Bay Action Group to lobby the retailer about concerns surrounding traffic safety and the scale of the development.

Similar shop top projects have been flagged by Woolies in other high density suburbs including Waterloo, Mosman and Neutral Bay.

Woolworths Head of Mixed-Use Development, Pierre Abrahamse, confirmed to the Wentworth Courier the project was in its infancy.

“We are excited about the opportunity to deliver a high quality mixed-use residential and retail development including a contemporary new and convenient Woolworths store at Rose Bay,” Mr Abrahamse said.

“Throughout September we engaged with more than 200 Rose Bay residents as part of our initial community engagement. We will continue to listen to the local community and Woollahra Council in the coming months to shape our application, and keep the Rose Bay community informed on the proposed design.

“We believe the site provides an important opportunity to contribute positively to the area, creating new local jobs, convenient retail options and a high quality place for the Rose Bay community.”

Rose Bay Action Group members Katrina Leslie (left), Rosemary Marando (right) and her mum Mary (centre) at the site. Children frequently use Albemarle Ave to commute to Rose Bay Public School.

However, Rose Bay Action Group spokeswoman Tracy Newfield said they were worried Woolworths’ characterisation of the store as “small scale” in a letter sent out to them in September was at odds with the information residents had been given during a Zoom session last month which she said indicated the project may be much larger.

“We do not believe this is the best location for a supermarket of this scale,” Ms Newfield said.

“The residents are keen to engage with Woolworths and have made multiple requests for more detail on the development but each request has been ignored,” she alleged.

“The residents believe the proposal to rezone 30 Albemarle Ave from a residential home to a commercial development is not in keeping with the local streetscape and importantly it would set a dangerous precedent for the Woollahra LGA. If this rezoning is approved Woollahra residents should be concerned that this could happen on their street.”

Rose Bay Public School is just 200m further down Albemarle Ave from the proposed development and students regularly pass the site on their morning commute.

A spokesman from the Rose Bay P & C said they too wanted more details on the project.

“We have real concerns about the size of the new development. More specifically the implication of the traffic and safety of our community,” the spokesman said.

“We have a lot of families who walk to and from school along Albemarle Ave, and the added cars driving in and out of the Woolworths site poses significant additional risk.“

A spokesman for Woollahra Council confirmed they had been notified of the proposal.

Supplied Editorial The Rose Bay Caltex site has been purchased by Woolworths

“Council is aware that the owner of the site is in the process of reviewing options for its future use,” the spokesman said.

“Any development application or planning proposal lodged with council would be assessed on its merits, and be subject to community consultation.”

You can contact the Rose Bay Action Group at [e-mail].

For more information on the project, Woolworths can be contacted at [e-mail]