The future of one of Sydney’s oldest shopping centres hangs in the balance ahead of a crucial planning panel vote on Monday, after a report to the panel recommended rejecting a $150 million redevelopment of Roselands Shopping Centre that would introduce a Costco warehouse, dozens of new retailers and hundreds of jobs. The proposal has divided the community, with nearby residents raising traffic and amenity concerns while centre traders and the developer argue the overhaul is essential to keep the hub relevant in a shifting retail landscape.
A report to the planning panel recommended refusing the application after an assessment raised 11 key concerns, including traffic impacts on surrounding roads, pedestrian safety and potential 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 assessment noted.
Opened in 1966 on the site of a former golf club, Roselands was the first shopping centre of its kind in Australia and, at the time, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. The centre is now facing another turning point. The proposed redevelopment from owner HomeCo would expand retail floor space by about 11,000 sq m and construct a new Costco store, transforming a substantial space being vacated by Myer when its lease expires in January.
HomeCo has argued the project is critical to preserving Roselands as a major retail destination amid the retreat of department store operators. “With the retail landscape of the likes of David Jones and Myer shrinking, it is imperative that we all work together to preserve an attractive range of retail opportunities in this iconic centre for the community,” a HomeCo spokesman said. The redevelopment is expected to generate 200 direct construction jobs and more than 350 retail positions once completed.
The prospect of rejection has frustrated centre traders. Chris Pentonzi, owner of the long-standing Pentonzi Poultry business, said the project would provide a much-needed boost to smaller retailers struggling with declining customer numbers. “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. While I understand their concerns, the centre needs to move forward,” he said. Canterbury-Bankstown Chamber of Commerce chief executive Wally Mehanna said the proposal represented an opportunity to draw more foot traffic into the local area and boost employment.
Of the 65 written submissions received during consultation, 56 were opposed, with traffic emerging as the most contentious issue. Traffic modelling submitted with the application estimates the redevelopment could generate up to 2,312 additional vehicle trips a day during peak weekend periods, though planning consultants for the developer concluded the proposal satisfied all relevant traffic requirements. HomeCo said it was reviewing the new feedback from council and was committed to proactively addressing all feedback.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The planning decision will determine the future of a landmark shopping centre and a major source of local employment in Sydney's south-west.
- The outcome will test how suburban councils balance revitalisation against residential amenity amid the decline of traditional department stores and the rise of online shopping.
- Hundreds of construction and retail jobs, as well as the retail mix available to the local community, directly depend on the panel's vote.
Background
Roselands Shopping Centre opened in 1966 and was the first of its kind in Australia, establishing a new model for suburban retail. Currently owned by HomeCo, the centre is facing the departure of Myer in January 2027, reflecting a broader retreat of large department stores from suburban hubs. The owner’s $150 million plan seeks to replace the Myer space with a mix of health, sporting, apparel and dining venues, anchored by a Costco warehouse. The proposal has been in development for 18 months.
Key Perspectives
Council planners: recommend rejection, citing 11 key concerns including traffic impacts, pedestrian safety and the loss of residential amenity for nearby homes.
Residents: strongly opposed, with 56 of 65 submissions against the plan, primarily over traffic.
Traders such as Chris Pentonzi: argue the redevelopment is critical for revitalising the centre and supporting smaller retailers facing falling customer numbers.
HomeCo: says the project is vital to preserving Roselands as a major shopping destination and has worked to address every council request over 18 months.
What to Watch
- The planning panel's vote on Monday, which will determine the immediate fate of the application.
- Whether HomeCo submits a revised application addressing the 11 concerns if the vote is lost.
- The impact on the Myer space and the broader tenancy strategy for the centre.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedA report recommended rejecting the $150 million Roselands redevelopment.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “A report to a meeting of Canterbury-Bankstown Council’s planning panel has recommended rejecting the ambitious project”
- SupportedThe planning panel vote was due to be held on Monday.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “The redevelopment of Roselands Shopping Centre is facing a crucial vote next week. The panel’s vote, due to be held on Monday”
- SupportedThe council assessment identified 11 concerns, including traffic, pedestrian safety and potential loss of amenity for neighbouring homes.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Council planners identified 11 key concerns, including traffic impacts on surrounding roads, pedestrian safety and potential loss of amenity for neighbouring homes.”
- SupportedThe proposal would add a Costco and dozens of new retailers.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “the ambitious project which would introduce more than 40 new retailers, hundreds of additional parking spaces and a Costco warehouse”
- SupportedThe redevelopment was expected to create hundreds of jobs.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “the project expected to generate 200 direct construction jobs and more than 350 retail positions once completed.”
- SupportedThe proposal had divided opinion, with nearby residents raising concerns and traders frustrated by the prospect of rejection.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “faces a major setback from council planners and sparks mixed opinions among traders and residents.”
- SupportedThe council assessment described a Costco warehouse next to homes as atypical.Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““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,” council’s assessment said.”
- SupportedRoselands opened in 1966 and was Australia’s first shopping centre of its kind and the Southern Hemisphere’s largest at the time.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Opened in 1966 on the former site of Roselands Golf Club, the centre was the first shopping centre of its kind in Australia and, at the time, the largest shopping centre in the Southern Hemisphere.”
- SupportedThe proposal would add about 11,000 sq m of retail floor space and redevelop space Myer would vacate when its lease expired in January.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “included expanding the retail floor space from about 70,000 sq m to 81,002 sq m and constructing a new Costco store”
- SupportedA HomeCo spokesman said, “With the retail landscape of the likes of David Jones and Myer shrinking, it is imperative that we all work together to preserve an attractive range of retail opportunities in this iconic centre for the community.”Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““With the retail landscape of the likes of David Jones and Myer shrinking, it is imperative that we all work together to preserve an attractive range of retail opportunities in this iconic centre for the community,” the spokesman said.”
- SupportedChris Pentonzi said the centre needed to move forward despite residents’ concerns.Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““While I understand their concerns, the centre needs to move forward. It does need an upgrade.””
- SupportedTraffic modelling estimated up to 2,312 additional vehicle trips a day during peak weekend periods.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Traffic modelling submitted with the application estimates the redevelopment could generate up to 2312 additional vehicle trips a day during peak weekend periods.”