Jill L’Estrange tells us why she and other residents don’t want a Woolworths supermarket in Mosman.
Mosman Village is unique. It is one of the few remaining suburbs in Sydney that has retained its physical village character and atmosphere.
This character and atmosphere is due to the abundance of attractive shops, many of heritage significance, providing a variety of goods and essential services.
The shops located along Military Road provide restaurants and coffee shops that sit next to high end fashion retailers, financial institutions, food suppliers, jewellery stores, and more, creating an attractive destination for locals and visitors to the suburb.
The Village is a place where residents can meet during their daily shopping routine and enjoy the communal facilities on offer.
Mosman foremost is a community and that sense of community is enhanced by shopping where proprietors and customers build personal relationships. This leads to a sense of pride in the suburb and a sense of belonging to all concerned.
This sense of community is important to the mental, physical and social well-being of the individuals who live and shop in Mosman.
There is no doubt that a Woolworths’ supermarket would take substantial market share from various food retailers in Mosman, not only the three other existing supermarkets but also Harris Farm Markets and the smaller fruit and vegetable retailers, butchers, patisseries, bread shops and delicatessens. Many of these shops may be forced out of business as their market share dwindles. The result will be that the character of Mosman Village will be irreparably damaged.
Whilst the extent of Woolworths’ ambitions have not been revealed, we do know that:
- a percentage of land fronting Military Road between Belmont Road and Gouldsbury Street has been purchased by Woolworths and that they are currently negotiating on the purchase of further retail properties.
- it has been reported in the Mosman Daily that Woolworths has expended approximately $18m on the purchase of these properties.
- we can surmise that they have an extensive retail development in their sights which will include underground car parking for a large number of cars.
We need to protect our Village, our precious asset, from desecration by a mega supermarket chain.
Once our Village has lost its character it cannot be retrieved.
With this proposed development will come increased traffic, not only local traffic but from neighbouring suburbs. The catchment area for a Woolworths store in Mosman is likely to be from Cremorne to Seaforth.
Mosman traffic is already at peak capacity exacerbated because it is located on a peninsula. Increased traffic will cripple the suburb, impact on the residential areas and detract from the quality of life of Mosman residents.
As the proposed development is wedged between two schools, the increased traffic to this area, whether it be supply trucks or customers will not only result in a gridlock as parents collect their children from school but it will be a serious risk to pedestrian safety.
As a community we must stand together, voice our opposition and stand against Woolworths’ planned development.