Woolworths-Led Retail Precinct Planned for Austral

Fabcot, the development arm of supermarket giant Woolworths, has launched plans for a new retail precinct in a suburb of Liverpool, south-west of Sydney. 

The site for the proposed precinct is in a section of Austral made up of low-density homes, open farmland and rural structures, and is “undergoing rapid change”. 

The $31-million project will require the demolition of existing low-density structures.

The project comprises an anchor Woolworths supermarket as well as commercial and retail tenancies and a public piazza. 

Fabcot aims to “deliver a high-quality and attractive neighbourhood centre” at 260 Eighth Avenue, about 42km from the Sydney CBD.

The 18,170sq m site is within a neighbourhood centre zone, which the developers say is “anticipated to accommodate a significant increase in density in accordance with the Western Parklands City SEPP [State Environmental Planning Policy]”. 

Western Parkland City “is one of Australia’s most exciting and fastest-growing regions”, according to the NSW government.

▲ The site of the proposed Woolworth-led development at Austral, south-west of Sydney. Source: NearMap

It is expected to grow considerably in the coming years. Areas around the proposed Woolworths retail site include recently subdivided parcels slated for residential developments, including single homes and dual occupancies. 

Developers have dipped their toes into the Austral market recently— Bathla has a four-block residential project in the works as well as DevCore’s plan for a housing estate.

Last quarter, Woolworths made $16.3 billion in group sales, an 8 per cent increase on the previous quarter. However, it added only one Australian store to its portfolio, according to results posted to the ASX.