Supermarket giant Woolworths has scored a major win over West Footscray residents and traders and Maribyrnong council with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) approving its plans for a major supermarket and retail development in the suburb.
More than two years after Woolworths first submitted plans to Maribyrnong council for the Barkly Street development , and 18 months since VCAT first heard the matter, an 86 page judgement was handed down on Tuesday May 6 in the retailer’s favour.
In March 2023, Woolworth’s property development arm Fabcot Pty Ltd lodged an application with Maribyrnong council for a two storey supermarket and retail development on the former 501 Receptions site at 495–507 Barkly Street.
The proposal, which has since been amended, drew fierce opposition from West Footscray residents and traders concerned about its impact on neighbouring businesses and amenities, while Maribyrnong council also raised objections during the early stages of the planning process.
By May 2023, Woolworths chose to bypass the planning process altogether and appeal the matter directly to VCAT, citing council’s failure to meet deadlines as its reason for doing so.
Maribyrnong council later confirmed that it would have refused a planning permit anyway, arguing the proposal would have a negative economic impact on West Footscray, lacked housing, would create an oversupply of retail space, was poorly designed and could cause traffic congestion.
In its judgement VCAT found that while there would be a negative economic impact and oversupply of supermarket retail space if the development went ahead and that the lack of residential housing meant the site would be underdeveloped, none were to such an extent to make the proposal unacceptable.
Maribyrnong mayor Pradeep Tiwari lives directly behind the proposed development site and was also one of the respondents along with the West Footscray Traders Association Inc, Schroeder Family Supermarkets which runs the local IGA and Maribyrnong council itself.
Cr Tiwari said he was disappointed with the decision.
“VCAT acknowledges there will be a loss of trade in the local shopping strip. I was very baffled by that,” he said.
“As a resident I have huge concerns over increased truck usage, pollution, and danger to cyclists. We’re putting cycle lanes all along that strip.”
A spokesperson for Woolworths said the company was pleased with the outcome, but would work through the VCAT judgement before announcing their next steps
Schroeder Family Supermarkets were contacted for comment.
