Costco, Stores and 350 Jobs: Roselands $150M Plan Faces Rejection
Council planners have recommended rejecting HomeCo's $150 million overhaul of the Roselands shopping centre in Sydney. The plan includes a Costco warehouse, more than 40 new retailers and over 350 retail jobs. Residents cite traffic and noise, while traders say the centre needs the upgrade.
Canterbury-Bankstown Council planners have recommended rejecting a $150 million overhaul of the Roselands shopping centre in Sydney, a project that would add a Costco warehouse, more than 40 new retailers and over 350 retail jobs, according to a report to the council's planning panel.
The panel is due to vote on the plan. Its decision will shape the future of a centre that opened in 1966 on the former site of Roselands Golf Club.
What HomeCo wants to build
Centre owner HomeCo lodged the development application in January. It would lift retail floor space from about 70,000 sq m to 81,002 sq m and add hundreds of parking spaces. The new Costco would be the company's fourth outlet in Sydney.
The plan also covers the space Myer is vacating when its lease expires in January. HomeCo proposes splitting it across three levels instead of finding another large-format tenant. Health, sporting and gym businesses would sit upstairs, apparel and cosmetics in the middle, and food and dining at ground level.
HomeCo argues the project is essential to keep Roselands relevant. It expects 200 direct construction jobs and more than 350 retail positions once the work is complete.
Why planners objected
Council planners identified 11 key concerns. They include traffic on surrounding roads, pedestrian safety and loss of amenity for neighbouring homes.
"It is atypical for a development of this scale and operational nature, such as a Costco Warehouse, to be situated immediately adjacent to residential premises," the council's assessment said.
Nearby residents raised further worries: noise, overshadowing, light spilling into homes, crime and illegal dumping.
Traders push back
Some centre traders say rejection would leave Roselands behind. Chris Pentonzi, owner of the family-run Pentonzi Poultry business, said the project would give smaller retailers a much-needed boost as customer numbers decline.
"Every time a development is put forward and it looks like investors have the funds to go ahead with it, it gets knocked back because of resident objections," he said. "While I understand their concerns, the centre needs to move forward. It does need an upgrade."
The dispute reflects pressure across Australian suburban retail, where department stores are retreating and centre owners are diversifying. Recent challenges facing chains including David Jones have sharpened questions about how shopping centres stay relevant as online shopping grows.
