Sunshine Coast Council recommended to refuse Coles’ application for Beerwah supermarket, service station

A major supermarket has been dealt a blow in its bid to develop a homemaker centre, service station and McDonalds on the Sunshine Coast.

Controversial plans for a major supermarket, service station and McDonalds that divided businesses and residents at a hinterland town could be thrown out.

Sunshine Coast Council officers have urged councillors to refuse development applications for a homemaker centre, service station and food and drink outlet at Beerwah.

They said the development would be detrimental to Beerwah’s character and draw activity away from its major retail activity centre.

Coles Group Property Developments lodged the applications with Sunshine Coast Council in late 2019 which said the supermarket would create up to 180 jobs.

The development is made up of three applications, for the homemaker centre, a service station and food and drink outlet – expected to include a McDonalds – and a four-lot subdivision.

The application received strong objections particularly from businesses that worried it would force some to close.

Of the 50 properly made submissions 40 were against it.

Sunshine Coast Council planners have recommended the council to refuse Coles Development Group's application for a supermarket and homemaker centre at 8 Roys Road, Beerwah.

Neddys Nosebag Takeaway owner Lesley Wooler said in her submission that small businesses like hers would not be able to survive if the project went ahead.

The proposal includes two development permits for a 3768sq m Coles site, a 600sq m showroom and two fast food outlets on the corner of Steve Irwin Way and Roys Rd.

The proposal said the supermarket and showrooms would contribute to the fast growing suburb which currently has a Woolworths, Aldi and independent supermarket Fresh & Save.

“If Coles is allowed to go ahead with the development it would split the town in two,” Ms Wooler said.

“One argument might be that the development will create a lot of jobs but this is not the case as a lot of business will not survive, so our staff will all lose their jobs and income.”

Sunshine Coast Council planners have recommended the council to refuse Coles Development Group's application for a supermarket and homemaker centre at 8 Roys Road, Beerwah.

Mrs Browns Espresso and Bar owner Julie Male said in her submission that it was already difficult to remain profitable without the new shopping centre being built one kilometre outside the town centre.

“It will draw a large volume of trade away,” she said.

“The Beerwah town centre is located next to the train station and should be supported.”

Council officers gave 29 reasons for council to object the three applications, ranging from the proposals being outside planning schemes and codes and being detrimental to the suburb’s character.

They said the proposed development was “premature” and did not maintain or promote the town’s active and lively main street.

Councillors are expected to vote on the application at an ordinary meeting on July 22.

Originally published as Sunshine Coast Council recommended to refuse Coles’ application for Beerwah supermarket, service station