Woolworths Plans Retail Project in Perth’s South-East

Woolworths plans to anchor a new retail development along the Albany Highway commercial strip in a transitional area of Perth’s inner south-east. 

The grocery giant’s property arm, Fabcot Pty Ltd, settled on the 7633sq m site in February this year with the intention of building a supermarket on the parcel, which is near a Bunnings, Aldi and Officeworks. 

The Albany Highway commercial strip was known for its row of typical 1950s “boxy” shops that lined the streets in East Victoria Park—these plans would transition the area to a modern style.

Now before the Town of Victoria Park, the plans by Hames Sharley architects include a ground-floor supermarket, retail and restaurants.

There is a childcare centre with 94 places planned for the upper floor and two levels of basement carparking for 218 vehicles.

The project, with an 5428sq m net leasable area and an estimated $27.5 million build cost, would cover nine lots at 1022-1032 Albany Highway and 355-357 Shepperton Road, East Victoria Park.

▲ A render of the proposed Woolworths-anchored development 7km south-east from the Perth CBD.

The Urbis planning report said the population of Perth was expected to grow to 3.5 million by 2031, up from 2.1 million in 2024.

“The commercial development proposed will contribute to future uplift and intensification of the area as envisioned within the city’s local planning framework,” the report said.

“The development provides an essential anchor tenancy, and a one-stop retail and community service to the commercial centre sought after by residents.

“[It] will attract additional investment and appetite for redevelopment, bringing new residential communities to the locality.”

Fabcot has had a big year in the development space. In September approval was granted for the grocery giant to develop a build-to-rent project of 456 apartments above its supermarket at Albion in Brisbane’s inner-north.

Fabcot also has in its pipeline a high-end project in Sydney’s lower north shore, winning approval for an eight-storey development at Neutral Bay.