Planning for People: Woolworths Addresses Rose Bay Supermarket Shortage

Written by

Charbel Abousleiman
Urban Planning Lawyer & Buyers Agent

24/06/2024

Gateway approval has been issued for another Woolworths-owned site in Sydney. This time, the supermarket will address a major gap in the Rose Bay market and will be located at 488 – 492 Old South Head Road and 30 Albemarle Avenue.

Growth in Sydney’s urban populations and changing consumer trends is driving an evolution in the retail ecosystem. The current supermarket environment in Woollahra LGA consists of congested full-line supermarkets at Bondi Junction, Edgecliff and Double Bay, with a collection of metro small supermarkets in the surrounding catchment.

Research has found that the present supermarket offering surrounding Rose Bay does not have the scale to adequately serve the needs of the community. This has resulted in people travelling away from the local neighbourhood to larger centres to find wider product ranges. This increased travel times and resulted in increased congestion on existing centres and the local road network.

Rose Bay trade area and competitive environment

Ethos Urban’s economic assessment report estimates that supermarket provision in the trade area is estimated at only 124 sqm per 1000 persons, which is less than half the typical Sydney metro provision.

The broad intent of rezoning in Rose Bay is to seek an additional permitted use provision to apply to 30 Albemarle Avenue, which permits retail premises but only as part of shop top housing and in conjunction with the development of 488 – 492 Old South Head Road. The indicate scheme provides for 4,145 sqm of gross floor area, comprising 2,168 sqm of supermarket floor space extending and enhancing the Old South Head Road shopping strip and 1,978 sqm of residential floor space. This will equate to 14 new dwellings and basement parking for 93 cars.

With the retail continually evolving, the future of supermarkets is about flexibility – being able to adapt and respond to modern customer requirements, changing tastes and preferences. The need for adaptability is critical to ensure a strong retail ecosystem now and in the future.

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