Woolworths Rosanna: Woolworths to build new supermarket, library

A multimillion-dollar development will see a supermarket, bottle shop and library built in Banyule, but not everyone is happy.

A new supermarket, bottle shop and library is coming to Rosanna under a landmark agreement between Banyule Council and Woolworths.

Despite community concern about the plan, the council has partnered with Woolworths, which will pay for a new Rosanna library, along with a supermarket and BWS bottle shop in Turnham Ave, opposite the train station.

Woolworths purchased the former Banyule City Council offices in 2017 after receiving a permit for a supermarket of about 2600sq m.

This year Woolworths entered into a heads of agreement with the council for the acquisition of additional land and construction of a new supermarket and library.

In partnership with the council, the proposal includes a 3685sq m full-line supermarket,

150sq m BWS and a 1300sq m library over two levels.

Banyule Mayor Rick Garotti said it was a win-win for the people of Rosanna.

“We’re going to be getting a brand new library, twice the size of the 50-year-old current library, on land and in a building both owned and operated by the council,” he said.

“As part of the project, we’ll also be putting $1 million into the Heidelberg Theatre Company on the other side of Woolworths and bring it up to contemporary standards, so two premium facilities in Rosanna will be transformed through this approach.

“People have had understandable concerns, but I think once it’s built and is operational, a lot of people are going to embrace it.”

Woolworths regional development manager Martin Lohan said it was excited about the opportunity to deliver a high quality retail development.

“We believe the proposed development will play an important role in the local community and we look forward to working with council to complete the community engagement sessions in the coming weeks,” he said.

But according to a change.org petition, signed by more than 5000 people, residents fear the development is “completely out of character” for Rosanna.

“It will be the trigger that changes our locality from small, community based attractions to a larger commercial zone,” it says.

“We have no lack of these larger commercial zones in Heidelberg, Ivanhoe, (and) Greensborough, so let’s keep Rosanna a village.”

Construction is set to start in 2023.

Have your say: shaping.banyule.vic.gov.au