LATEST NEWS
Coles has lodged an amended Development Application with North Sydney Council.
The amended DA has a significant reduction in height because Council’s independent planner did not support approval of the additional height. Coles requested an increase in the exisiting LEP height controls via a 4.6 amendment and a Voluntary Planning Agreement.
Coles and Council have been negotiating a Voluntary Planning Agreement, however they were not able to come to a resolution prior to the Sydney North Planning Panel requesting Coles to progress the application. Therefore, Coles has proceeded with an amended application to meet the expectations of the independent planner.
Coles remains committed to a development along the lines of the original DA, which would enable the development to fund the construction of the Council’s underground public parking and the construction of a new Town Plaza for Neutral Bay.
Coles’ original development application included six levels of residential dwellings above the new Coles supermarket, public underground car parking and a public plaza. The public plaza will be the new town centre at the heart of Neutral Bay. We still believe the initial DA delivers the best outcomes for the community.
It is not feasible for the amended development to fund the construction of Council’s underground public parking and the construction of a new Town Plaza for Neutral Bay.
Coles intends to pursue approval for the revised application, and then to seek approval for additional height. The additional height will be pursued along with a Voluntary Planning Agreement with Council for Coles to fund the construction of Council’s underground car parking and the new town plaza.
In the interim, Coles has negotiated a lease extension with Woolworths, which means the existing Woolworths will remain open through the Christmas period until February 2025. This lease extension gives the new Council time to consider the future of the Neutral Bay Plaza project.
TELL COUNCIL WHAT YOU THINK
The amended Development Application is currently on public exhibition. You can write a submission to North Sydney Council now. Submissions can be written in support of an outcome along the lines of the initial proposal. If you want to realise the community benefits of the initial proposal, you can suggest changes or share areas of special concern. To show your support for the best outcome for Neutral Bay, please make a submission here.
WELCOME
Welcome to the project website for Coles’ proposal for a world class retail offering in the heart of Neutral Bay.
Planning for the redevelopment of the Grosvenor Street location is progressing. The process of planning and redeveloping the site will take time as Coles remains committed to delivering the best possible development for the Neutral Bay community.
As a result of Council’s feedback on Coles’ initial Development Application, Coles lodged an amended Development Application with North Sydney Council in November 2024. The amended DA is for a development with significantly reduced height. The amended DA cannot feasibly fund the delivery of Council’s long held vision for Neutral Bay of undergrounding the public parking and creating a new Town Plaza.
We remain excited to build strong relationships with the Neutral Bay community to secure the best outcome for local businesses and the local community in the heart of Neutral Bay Village.
THE AMENDED PROPOSAL (Development Application lodged November 2024)
As a result of Council feedback, Coles has recently lodged an amendment to its Development Application which contemplates a reduction of three residential levels, and as such it is no longer feasible for Coles to fund the undergrounding of the public parking and creation of a new plaza.
However, if Council were to support a development close to the original plans, Coles could deliver on Council’s long held vision for the Neutral Bay Town Centre.
The amended proposal features:
- a world-class Coles supermarket
- three levels of residential dwellings above the supermarket equating to 42 apartments (a mix of one, two and three-bedroom units)
- increased customer parking with a total of over 250 public parking spaces (approximately 90 additional parking spaces to the existing conditions)
- relocated underground loading docks
- improved access, amenity, safety and functionality of the car parking arrangements.
THE INITIAL PROPOSAL (Development Application lodged August 2023)
The initial proposal, and the proposal we believe delivers the best outcome for the community of Neutral Bay, would provide Coles and Council the opportunity to deliver a revitalised town centre, along with 72 residential apartments.
The initial proposal for a revitalised town centre features:
- a world-class Coles supermarket
- six levels of residential dwellings above the supermarket equating to 72 apartments (a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom units)
- increased customer parking with a total of over 250 public parking spaces (approximately 90 additional parking spaces to the existing conditions)
- a new town plaza (the design of which is to be determined by Council)
- relocated underground loading docks
- improved access, amenity, safety and functionality of the car parking arrangements.
The initial proposal will complement local businesses and traders, drawing customers to the precinct with convenient pedestrian access and parking for cars.
Comparing the two proposals
The amended proposal features a reduction in building height by three residential levels, 42 apartments instead of 72, increased set backs on Cooper Lane, no private parking, storage or other private spaces under Council’s land
Staging: Delivering a successful precinct and being a good neighbour
We have collected feedback from North Sydney Council, the Neutral Bay Chamber of Commerce, local retailers, and community members about the best way to deliver the proposed redevelopment. Stakeholders have emphasised the need for ongoing access and car parking for local retailers during the construction phase.
To maintain access and provide car parking, the project will be delivered in stages, subject to approval. We have prepared a staging plan after further consultation with local retailers, for consideration alongside the Amended Development Application.
THE PLANNING PROCESS
The planning process includes several steps and there are opportunities throughout the process for you to review the proposal and make comment.
Members of the community can make formal submissions to Council when the DA is placed on exhibition.
At all other times throughout the planning process, the Project Team welcome your feedback here.
You can view the Development Application online via Council’s Application Tracker.
For information about providing comment to Council on the DA, visit Council’s website.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is proposed?
This webpage refers to two proposals.The initial proposal refers to the Development Application lodged with Council in 2023. The amended proposal refers to the Development Application lodged with Council in November 2024. We feel the initial proposal is the best way forward for the community.
The initial proposal, which included Coles funding the public plaza and relocating cars under the plaza at the heart of Neutral Bay, promised great benefits for the community. However, as a result of Council feedback, Coles lodged an amended Development Application which features a reduction of three residential levels. The significant reduction in height, and the reduced number of residential apartments,makes it no longer feasible for Coles to fund the undergrounding of the public parking and creation of a new plaza.
Our initial and preferred Development Application proposed a revitalised town centre that features:
- a world-class Coles supermarket
- increased customer car parking (approximately 90 additional parking spaces)
- a new town plaza that brings Council’s 2014 vision to life
- 72 private residential units
- relocated loading dock infrastructure
- improved amenity, safety and functionality of the current car park
By comparison, the amended Development Application is for:
- a world-class Coles supermarket
- three levels of residential dwellings above the supermarket equating to 42 apartments (a mix of one, two and three-bedroom units)
- increase customer parking with a total of over 250 public parking spaces (approximately 90 additional parking spaces to the existing conditions)
- relocated underground loading docks
- 42 private residential units
- relocated underground loading docks
- improved access, amenity, safety and functionality of the car parking arrangements.
How many residential apartments are proposed as part of the redevelopment?
The initial proposal is for up to six levels of residential units above the supermarket, totalling 72 units and including a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments.
The amended proposal is for up three levels of residential units above the supermarket, totalling 42 units and including a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments.
Why is Coles seeking to redevelop more than just the existing supermarket, and why does the Development Application include council land?
The short answer is to deliver a precinct with higher social and economic value for Neutral Bay. The initial proposal includes council land in order to offer more parking and a plaza – making it a destination that’s easier for people to access by car and on foot, and a place people want to stay longer. The improved convenience and elevated amenity will provide a boost to surrounding businesses, revitalising the area and making it the heart of Neutral Bay.
This initial proposal for the plaza aligns with Council’s vision for Neutral Bay’s Town Plaza, established in 2014. The reduction to height in the amended proposal makes it implausible for Coles to fund the realisation of Council’s vision for Neutral Bay’s Town Plaza.
What is the plan for the proposed public plaza?
If Council were to support a development close to the initial Development Application, we are hopeful that Coles could deliver on Council’s long held vision for the Neutral Bay Town Centre.
The final design of the proposed public plaza would be determined by North Sydney Council. The plaza is intended to be a public asset owned and maintained by the Council.
We have been engaging with various stakeholders to understand their needs and expectations for the plaza. We recognise some stakeholders favour open space and greenery and other groups prioritise access and parking for local retailers.
As part of the initial proposal, we put foward a concept that seeks to balance the different priorities, and includes green space, open space, pedestrian, and vehicle shared zones that will provide loading, access and short-stay parking.
We also note the importance of the plaza space to be flexible and adaptable, being able to transform at different times of the day or week. Early mornings the plaza may provide vehicle access for loading and on weekends it may transition into a non-trafficable space to facilitate a farmers’ market or community events.
Who is the planning authority?
Sydney North Planning Panel are the planning authority. The economic scale of the project requires the Development Application to be assessed by the relevant District Panel (Sydney North Planning Panel).
North Sydney Council are also closely involved in the assessment of the proposal.
What is the role of North Sydney Council?
Council has two distinct roles, kept separate through rigorous probity mechanisms managed by Council. One role is in the planning review and approvals, and the other is as a landowner with commercial interests. These two roles are separate.
Why is Coles proposing to redevelop beyond the supermarket, including the Council owned car park?
We are committed to the planning and delivery of a highly successful precinct. To plan for the precinct, the proposal must extend beyond the supermarket.
The initial proposal for redevelopment will complement local businesses and traders, drawing customers to the precinct with convenient pedestrian access and parking for cars.
How will parking and access impacts be managed? There are businesses operating near the existing supermarket and their customers rely on easy-to-access parking spaces.
We are seeking to redevelop the Grosvenor Lane site in a way that uplifts the area and draws customers to surrounding businesses. Parking and access modifications will create a smoother experience for locals.
During the construction phase, we understand that local traders need on-going customer parking and access. We have prepared a Staging Plan following further consultation with local retailers.
We’re pursuing an approach that strikes a balance between mitigating the construction impacts, reducing disruption and efficiently delivering the redevelopment for Neutral Bay in the shortest possible timeframe. Our preliminary staging plans indicate an average of 85 per cent of parking will be available throughout construction, with no less than 60 per cent at any time.
Has the proposal received planning permission?
No. The proposal is in the early stages of the planning process.
When will Coles lodge an amended Development Application?
Coles lodged the initial Development Application with North Sydney Council in August 2023. More recently, Coles has lodged an amended Development Application with North Sydney Council in November 2024.
How can the community have a say about what happens in this location?
We have lodged the amended Development Application with North Sydney Council. Council has placed the amended DA on public exhibition.
You can view the Development Application online via Council’s Application Tracker.
For information about providing comment to Council on the DA, visit Council’s website.
You can share your thoughts with the project team here.
Who is delivering the project, subject to planning approvals?
Coles are the proponent. Coles have partnered with Titanium Property Investment to support the planning and delivery of the precinct-wide vision.
KEEP IN TOUCH
Do you have a question about the proposal that’s not answered on this page? You can share your thoughts with the project team here.
We have lodged the Development Application with North Sydney Council. Council has placed the DA on public exhibition. You can view the Development Application online via Council’s Application Tracker. For information about providing comment to Council on the DA, visit Council’s website.
Coles Group acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land we live and operate on.
We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and acknowledge their continuing connection to waters, skies, seas and country.
