The Coles and Woolworths sites are significant redevelopment opportunities within the activity centre and are due for renewal. How they are redeveloped will play a critical role in shaping the future character, functionality, and success of Carlisle Street as a whole.

The Current Carlisle Street Structure Plan and planning controls applying to these sites are more than 15 years old and no longer reflect:

• Current State and Local Planning Policy
• Modern sustainability and climate‑responsive design standardsThe area’s changing economic and demographic profile
• Evolving expectations for how activity centres function, look and feel

What Council Is Doing

To address this, Council is preparing:

• updated planning guideline to support high‑quality redevelopment outcomes the Coles and Woolworths sites
• A new Structure Plan for the broader Carlisle Street Activity Centre, providing direction on:
  • Built form and development requirements
  • Access and movement
  • Urban design and public realm outcomes

This work will help Council advocate for development outcomes that align with a new vision and objectives for the broader Carlisle Street Major Activity Centre.

Advocacy and Decision‑Making: Coles and Woolworths redevelopment

Following Council’s decision to sell council-owned land to Woolworths in 2022 and Coles Group Property Developments in 2025, it is likely that the redevelopment process for these two sites will happen soon.

While the Victorian Government is expected to be the decision‑making authority for future redevelopment proposals on these sites, Council will work closely with landowners and the Government to advocate for outcomes that reflect community priorities and deliver the best possible result for the activity centre.

Informed by community and stakeholder input, Council will prepare planning guidelines that address:

• Appropriate land uses and building outcomes
• Provision of open space
• Site layout and functionality
• Traffic, access, and movement management

This will help ensure that redevelopment of these key sites makes a positive contribution to the Carlisle Street Activity Centre.

The sites

Within the activity centre, the Coles and Woolworths sites represent two of the most significant redevelopment opportunities and have the potential to be transformational for the entire activity centre. Decisions made about these sites will strongly influence the future character, function, and success of the Carlisle Street Activity Centre.

Following Council’s decision to sell council-owned land to Woolworths in 2022 and Coles Group Property Developments in 2025, it is likely that the redevelopment process for these two sites will happen soon.

While Council is unlikely to be the decision‑making authority for future development approvals on these privately owned sites, this work will help Council advocate effectively with landowners and the State Government to achieve outcomes that are realistic, viable, and aligned with local priorities.

The project will be delivered in two phases, with opportunities for the community to provide input at key stages.

Stage 1 – Supermarket Site Development Guidelines (Current Stage)

Stage 1 focuses on preparing development guidelines for the two large supermarket sites currently occupied by Coles and Woolworths. These guidelines will inform Council’s advocacy position and provide clear expectations around:

• Land use and built form
• Public realm and open space
• Access, movement, traffic and servicing
• Sustainability and site functionality

Stage 2 – Carlisle Street Activity Centre Structure Plan Stage 2 will involve the preparation of a new Structure Plan for the broader Carlisle Street Activity Centre, building on the outcomes of Stage 1 and providing integrated guidance for the broader activity centre.

The project includes two engagement phases, allowing the community and stakeholders to provide input at key points.

Phase 1 Engagement – May

During Phase 1, we are seeking your feedback on:

• The draft vision for the Carlisle Street Activity Centre
• The draft objectives for the new Structure Plan
• Priority outcomes for the redevelopment of the Coles and Woolworths sites

Your feedback will help shape the overall direction and aspirations for these important sites and the broader activity centre.

Phase 2 Engagement – August / September

In Phase 2, will include a series of facilitated workshops with stakeholders, community members and technical experts, that will:

• Explore constraints and opportunities, including trade‑offs and feasibility testing of development scenarios
• Prioritise development outcomes and test and refine Council’s advocacy position through the draft Development Guidelines

Following Phase 2 engagement, community feedback will be incorporated into the final Development Guidelines for the Coles and Woolworths sites, which will guide Council’s advocacy for future redevelopment outcomes.

To stay informed and receive updates about the preparation of the new Carlisle Street Activity Centre Structure Plan, please click 'follow' at the top of the Project Page.