NeuBau Group director Tim Reed takes Palmwoods supermarket proposal to court

A developer will take Sunshine Coast council to court after his application to build a suburb’s first supermarket was rejected despite desperate pleas from residents to give it the tick.

Artist concepts of the new Coles proposed for Palmwoods, including shopfront and Click and Collect area.

A developer will clash with council over a decision to reject a supermarket for a Sunshine Coast suburb following an outcry of support from residents.

NeuBau Group director Tim Reed lodged an appeal with the Planning and Environment Court on October 2 to overturn Sunshine Coast Council’s decision to reject his proposal for a Coles supermarket in Palmwoods, which would have become the suburb’s first fully-fledged grocery store.

The proposed 9.8ha vacant development site was located a 22 Palmwoods-Montville Rd, a medium density residential zone area which was previously approved for a set of townhouses.

The application was initially made in early July, 2o23.

Residents had rallied for approval after it was pitched to council, hoping for a new supermarket within walking distance which could spare them a trip out of town for their weekly grocery needs.

The proposal was subject to public consultation which resulted in 234 submission, 192 of which were properly made.

NeuBau Group director Tim Reed. Photo: contributed

Of these, 185 were in favour of the supermarket plans and seven were opposed.

The application was ultimately rejected by council in a meeting on August 29 and Mr Reed received a decision notice on September 4.

Appeal documents outlined council’s reasons for refusal which included losing medium density residential zoned land and “fragmenting” the local activity centre, making it disconnected and unwalkable.

Documents state by reason of council, the proposal would not be compatible with future uses of surrounding land and is not “sympathetic” to the scale and character of nearby residential development.

NeuBau Group wrote in their application the supermarket proposal should be approved on the grounds the development would actually improve connectivity, character and functionality of the area due to its “close proximity” to the local centre zone and commercial development along Margaret St.

It is noted in documents the size and function of the supermarket would provide for and cater to the needs of Palmwoods residents and surrounding rural communities.

Mr Reed said his company had anticipated an appeal given the site’s zoning as a medium density residential area.

Site plan for a new Coles proposed for Palmwoods.

He had still hoped to avoid the appeal following the “outcry of community support” and the strength within the data presented to council the application.

“But it was not to be,” Mr Reed said.

“Hopefully the right outcome for the community prevails in the coming 12 months.”

Mr Reed said he was unsure of what to expect as it would be his first time making an application to the Planning and Environment Court.

“I am however very confident that we have a brilliant, experienced and motivated team on-board for this application and process, as well as a tidal wave of community support spurring us along the way,” he said.

“I believe that the data we and our team have presented to council shows a lot of promise in regard to the proposed supermarket on our site and am, again, hopeful logic will prevail, thus leading to a positive outcome for the community one way or another.”

Originally published as NeuBau Group director Tim Reed takes Palmwoods supermarket proposal to court