Peregian Beach-based Altum Property Group have lodged a Material Change of Use application with Sunshine Coast Council to develop an architecturally designed supermarket and specialty stores on a 9915m2 site at 10 Memorial Drive, Eumundi.
Altum Property Group director Rob McCready said the application demonstrates that there is insufficient developable land within the Eumundi Local Centre to accommodate the proposed development along with strong community and economic need.
“We believe the proposed design and location is sympathetic and compatible to the existing character of Eumundi while also offering substantial positive community benefits to local residents as well as the wider community,” he said.
The site includes an approved service station and retail centre, consisting of a supermarket and specialty retail as well as 76 car spaces.
Mr McCready said the proposed supermarket and speciality stores would service the Eumundi community and draw trade from Eerwah Vale, Verrierdale, North Arm and Belli Park residents looking to avoid travelling to Cooroy or Peregian Springs for their supermarket needs.
“Residents of the Eumundi area currently need to travel to either Yandina, Cooroy or Noosa to access supermarket facilities with the nearest full line supermarket is located some 15km away at Noosa Civic.
“The new supermarket is also in keeping with the proposed growth in population of the area over the next decade with an expected average annual population growth of 1.2 per cent per annum while the number of households is anticipated to increase by 1.3 per cent per annum.
“Retail supply is limited to the Eumundi Local Centre, which is primarily focused on day-tripper and visitors and as a result, residents within the identified trade area must travel a significant distance to access a supermarket or convenience-based speciality retail of any size or range.
“The development will generate additional local employment opportunities with the construction costs anticipated to be in the order of $4 million over a 12-month build while the operation of the supermarket and retail stores would generate employment demand of approximately 44 direct employment opportunities and 10-12 indirect employment opportunities,” Mr McCready said.
Fellow director Alex Rigby said award-winning local architecture firm Blackburne Jackson has created a building design that interprets and articulates a localised response to Eumundi’s built form character.
“The building will be low rise with a maximum height of about 6.5 metres and setback 6m from the street frontages which minimises the building profile and limits height impacts.
“Substantial landscaping is provided to the street frontages, which will assist in softening the development and contribute to the entry statement into town.
“The site’s location out of the town centre also ensures that residents can access convenience goods without the congestion that sometimes arises within Eumundi due to visitors to the Eumundi markets,” Mr Rigby said.
