Retail development demand in Queensland’s growing ‘hubs’

The booming population in South-East Queensland, paired with increasing demand for household goods, continues to fuel the rise of large-format retail developments and supermarket-anchored centres.

This demand-driven growth is shaping new retail precincts along the Pacific Motorway, from the Gold Coast to Brisbane’s outskirts, with recent development proposals marking a notable trend in flexible, mixed-use retail.

GALLERY  

One of the significant projects underway includes plans for a large-format retail hub at Homeworld Helensvale, where a new showroom for Harvey Norman is set to bring more commercial options to the northern Gold Coast. The proposal, filed by a planning team on behalf of the site owner, Shayher Group, details a 10,025-square-metre single-storey building designed for the iconic Australian retailer, with an additional office mezzanine and 250 carparking spaces. With a contemporary design featuring bold facade elements and signature branding, the project aims to enhance Homeworld Helensvale’s existing offerings and support the needs of a growing residential base.

As South-East Queensland’s population swells, so does the demand for accessible, diverse retail options. For example, Shayher Group acquired Homeworld Helensvale for $265 million in mid-2022, banking on its potential as a long-term retail anchor in the region. Positioned on a 20.3-hectare site, the centre is undergoing staged expansion, adding new retail formats that appeal to a broad audience and encourage repeat visits.

In parallel, another retail development has been proposed for Richlands, a burgeoning suburb in Brisbane’s south-west. The Home Investment Consortium Company plans to build a Coles supermarket-anchored retail hub with a gross floor area of 6062 square metres. The project will accommodate 18 additional tenancies, creating a mixed retail landscape that balances larger-format stores with smaller specialty shops.

According to JLL, Australia’s retail sector is experiencing record-low supply, with development for 2024-2025 expected to reach only 21 per cent of the decade average. This limited pipeline is driving a re-emergence of retail investment and expansion, particularly in high-growth areas like South-East Queensland, where population growth demands an evolving retail landscape.

Images via The Urban Developer

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