LATEST NEWS
Development Application successful
North Sydney Council has approved Coles’ Development Application (DA) lodged in November 2024. Coles is pleased that the Council-appointed Independent Planner prepared a positive and supportive report on the revised DA. Read the Independent Planner’s Report here.
The DA was unanimously approved by Sydney North Planning Panel (the Panel) in May 2025. Coles was heartened by the support received from local Precinct Committee members who addressed the Panel in support of Coles’ revised DA. Read the Panel’s report here.
This is a positive step towards realising the vision to create a new heart for the Neutral Bay Town Centre.
The Coles development includes residential dwellings above a new world-class Coles supermarket, improved public parking, and the opportunity for a new town centre plaza, delivering vital elements of the Council’s long-held plan for a revitalised town centre serving as the heart of Neutral Bay.
Council has also accepted Coles’ Planning Proposal for assessment. The Planning Proposal is seeking approval for a taller building and additional residential accommodation to support Coles’ offer to fund the construction and relocation of the Council car park underground and the new plaza.
Compare the Planning Proposal and the approved Development Application here.
Coles Grosvenor Street opens to shoppers
The Coles’ supermarket is now open on Grosvenor Street. The refreshed supermarket serves the local community and provides employment for over 140 Coles employees whilst Coles continues to work with North Sydney Council on a broader redevelopment for Neutral Bay.
Read the media release about the store launch here.
WELCOME
Welcome to the project website for Coles’ proposal for a world-class retail offering in the heart of Neutral Bay.
While Coles remains committed to serving the community with its refreshed supermarket on Grosvenor Street, now is the time for North Sydney Council to take further action and move towards the opportunity for a reinvigorated Neutral Bay town centre.
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 Sydney North Planning Panel unanimously determined in favour of the amended DA in May 2025. This positive determination is an important step towards a revitalised town centre for Neutral Bay.
Although the approved DA is for a development with significantly reduced height that cannot feasibly fund the delivery of Council’s long held vision for Neutral Bay, the decision provides the opportunity to deliver Council’s vision for the town centre and plaza.
There are three key pathways underway to move closer to realising the Coles vision for Neutral Bay. The amended DA, which has been approved, the Planning Proposal, and the Expression of Interest (EOI). Read more about the Development Application, the Planning Proposal and the EOI here.
We are excited to continue building 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 PLANNING PROCESS: The Development Application, the Planning Proposal and the Expression of Interest
The planning process includes several steps and there are opportunities throughout the process for you to review the applications and make comment.
Members of the community can make formal submissions to Council when the documents are placed on public exhibition.
At all other times throughout the planning process, the Project Team welcome your feedback here.
For Coles, there are three concurrent processes underway to advance planning for the Grosvenor Street site.
- The amended Development Application, lodged in November 2024 and approved unanimously in May 2025.
- The Planning Proposal was submitted to North Sydney Council on 9 May 2025. North Sydney Council placed the Planning Proposal on Public exhibition from 14 May 2025.
- Council’s Expression of Interest (EOI) process launched in December 2024.
The Amended Development Application
Coles lodged an amended Development Application with North Sydney Council in November last year. The DA was approved unanimously by the Sydney North Planning Panel in May 2025, making it possible for Coles to deliver a reduced version of the initial proposal.
The DA features:
- a reduction in building height by three residential levels
- 42 apartments instead of 72
- increased setbacks on Cooper Lane
- no private parking, storage or other private spaces under Council’s land.
The decision to approve the DA preserves the opportunity to deliver Council’s vision for the town centre and plaza, but a redevelopment of this scale does not allow Coles to partner with Council to deliver the vision. The DA does not deliver enough residential levels to financially support Coles’ vision for the town centre, including undergrounding carparking and a vibrant town plaza. The approval of the DA is a positive but partway step towards the revitalisation of Neutral Bay’s town centre.
Read the Development Application here.
Read the Independent Planner’s report on the DA here.
Read the Sydney North Planning Panel’s summary report on the determination of the DA here.
The Planning Proposal
Coles lodged a comprehensive Planning Proposal with North Sydney Council in May 2025 that aligns with Council’s vision for a revitalised town centre and plaza, with underground carparking. North Sydney Council has accepted the Planning Proposal, and Coles expect Council will place the Planning Proposal on public exhibition soon.
The Planning Proposal includes:
- a world-class Coles supermarket
- residential dwellings above the supermarket equating to 81 apartments (a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom units)
- increased customer parking with a total of over 250 public parking spaces (approximately 80 additional parking spaces to the existing conditions)
- a new town plaza (the design of which is to be determined by Council). Although the Planning Proposal only relates to the Coles site, if approved it will provide the financial capacity for Coles to deliver Council’s desired outcomes
- relocated underground loading docks
- improved access, amenity, safety and functionality of the car parking arrangements
North Sydney Council placed the Planning Proposal on Public exhibition from 14 May 2025 and it may be accessed through their Applications Tracker.
The Expression of Interest (EOI)
North Sydney Council requested Expressions of Interest for an underground car park and public plaza in the heart of Neutral Bay in December 2024. Coles submitted an Expression of Interest in February 2025 to deliver underground public car parking and a new town plaza for Neutral Bay. The additional parking and the public plaza could be delivered as community benefits made possible by the approval of Coles’ Planning Proposal and acceptance by Council of Coles’ associated Voluntary Planning Agreement.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is proposed?
This webpage refers to two key proposals. The Planning Proposal refers to the comprehensive application accepted by North Sydney Council in May 2025 for Coles’ full and preferred vision for a revitalised town centre. The Planning Proposal is an improvement on the initial Development Application lodged with Council in 2023. The Development Application, or amended Development Application, refers to the Development Application lodged with Council in November 2024 and approved by the Sydney North Local Planning Panel in May 2025. We feel the Planning Proposal represents that outcome that is the best way forward for the community.
The Planning Proposal includes Coles funding the public plaza and relocating cars under the plaza at the heart of Neutral Bay and promises great benefits for the community. As a result of Council feedback on the initial proposal, 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 under the amended DA scenario.
Our Planning Proposal, and preferred outcome for a revitalised town centre, features:
- a world-class Coles supermarket
- increased customer car parking (approximately 80 additional parking spaces)
- a new town plaza that brings Council’s 2014 vision to life. While the Planning Proposal only relates to the Coles site, if approved it will provide the financial capacity for Coles to deliver Council’s desired outcomes.
- 81 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 80 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 Planning Proposal is for up to seven levels of residential units above the supermarket, totalling 81 units and including a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments.
The Development Application, approved in May 2025, 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 Planning Proposal includes council land in order to offer more public 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.
The Planning Proposal for the plaza aligns with Council’s vision for Neutral Bay’s Town Plaza, established in 2014. The reduction to height in the Development Application, approved in May 2025 by the Sydney North Planning Panel, 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 closer to the one represented in the Planning Proposal, 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 Planning Proposal, we’ve put forward 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 outcome outlined in the Planning Proposal for the 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?
The Development Application for a reduced redevelopment was approved unanimously by the Sydney North Planning Panel in May 2025, however Coles remains committed to securing the necessary planning approvals to realise the entire vision for site. The Planning Proposal for the full redevelopment that would support the delivery of underground public car parking and a public plaza is progressing through the planning process.
When will Coles lodge an amended Development Application?
Coles lodged the initial Development Application with North Sydney Council in August 2023. Coles then lodged an amended Development Application with North Sydney Council in November 2024. The amended Development Application was unanimously approved by the Sydney North Planning Panel in May 2025. Also in May 2025, North Sydney Council accepted Coles’ Planning Proposal for a redevelopment that aligns with Coles’ preferred vision for the site, including the delivery of community benefits including underground public car parking and a public plaza.
The Planning Proposal will be placed on Public Exhibition by North Sydney Council. Information about the public exhibition of the Planning Proposal will be published on North Sydney Council’s website when it is available
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.
