Woolies’ Fast Lane Approval 

Engaging community views on new retail development

The challenge

Supermarket chain Woolworths proposed a new retail destination in Inglewood, Western Australia.

The development aimed to reinvigorate the former Bunnings site, after a fire destroyed the store in 2018, and implement Woolworths’ new direction of creating more ‘market-style’ centres. The consumer culture in the retail sector has changed and current trends show an increased demand for community-centred stores and markets. Creating Communities was contracted to lead community and stakeholder engagement.

The outcomes

We conducted extensive public consultation, including one-on-one meetings with the neighbouring community, flyers and brochures and an open night which captured views from a cross-section of people. The project was the fastest ever development application approval for Woolworths in Australia, after the process showed strong public support.