By Sonia Isaacs
BEERWAH Co-op says it could be operating from a bigger, purpose-built home within two years, with board members hopeful Sunshine Coast Council can help fast-track approvals for a major relocation to Roys Road.
After being told its lease at the railway station site will not be extended beyond June next year, the 90-year-old co-operative has spent the past six months working with Devcon Property Group on plans for a new development at 8 Roys Road.
The proposal would see the co-op operate across two linked sites, featuring an expanded fuel station, a new car wash and vacuum facilities, and a larger hardware and garden centre.
Treasurer and secretary James Stretch said recent discussions with council had left the board optimistic, with planning consultants advising development applications could be lodged before the subdivision is completed.
“We can concurrently work on that while the subdivision is getting underway,” Mr Stretch said.
“We’re thinking around six months from the start of the application works to a potential decision from council.”
Mr Stretch said the ability to lodge development applications before the subdivision is finalised could prove critical given the co-op faces a hard deadline to vacate its existing premises by June next year.
“That’s the challenge that we’re met with, and we’re on the clock to achieve it,” he said.
He said the board was encouraged by its early engagement with council and hoped the planning process could proceed efficiently.
The proposed development would not only secure the future of the co-op but also deliver services identified as missing from the town, including a dedicated car wash.
“We sought to engage with the community through informal discussions of what was needed within our town, and it was a very clear indication that a car wash was missing,” Mr Stretch said.
“Pending approvals, we’re very excited to be the ones bringing that to Beerwah.”
While reluctant to commit to a firm construction timeline, Mr Stretch said the project could be delivered in less than two years if approvals progress as anticipated.
The board recently met with council and is awaiting feedback on traffic design considerations that will help shape the final layout before detailed applications are lodged.
Board chairman Ken Bullen said the loss of the current lease had initially come as a significant setback, but had ultimately prompted the co-op to rethink its future.
“It was quite disrupting to learn that the lease wasn’t going to be extended,” he said.
“Out of that has come a bit of soul searching from the board, in terms of what’s our relevance.
“This is not just about fruit growers, it’s about the community, and we want to provide services for the community.”
Mr Bullen said the relocation would allow the co-op to expand in ways that had never been possible at its leased railway station site.
The co-op employs 53 staff and has about 400 shareholders. Mr Stretch said protecting jobs and maintaining services remained a key priority throughout the transition.
“We’re excited about our 90th year, and we’re even more excited about our 100th year,” he said. “We’re going to be bigger and stronger going into that.”