News
31 May, 2026
Robertson Supermarket Plan Mashed
A major proposal to transform the gateway to Robertson appears headed for rejection.
A major proposal to transform the gateway to Robertson appears headed for rejection.
An extraordinary meeting of the Wingecarribee Local Planning Panel on Monday will consider a recommendation to refuse a supermarket expansion and retail development proposal that has been before council for a considerable period of time.
The recommendation would effectively save Robertson's iconic Big Potato while rejecting plans for a significantly expanded neighbourhood supermarket and four additional retail tenancies at 78-80 and 82 Illawarra Highway.
The proposal includes demolition works, tree removal, expansion of the existing supermarket, creation of four new retail shops, additional parking and associated landscaping and civil works.
In a lengthy assessment report, council officers concluded the development should be refused due to concerns about traffic, parking, noise, village character, contamination and a lack of supporting information.
Among the most significant issues identified is a parking shortfall. Council's engineers determined the development would require at least 57 parking spaces under applicable planning controls, but only 41 spaces have been proposed.
Council officers noted insufficient information had been provided regarding operating hours, deliveries, waste collection, servicing arrangements, traffic impacts and noise impacts on nearby homes.
Environmental concerns were also raised, with council records indicating part of the site was previously used as a service station and vehicle repair workshop. The assessment notes there is no record of underground fuel tanks being properly removed or decommissioned and says contamination investigations should have been undertaken.
The proposal attracted 10 submissions during public exhibition, including two in support and eight objections.
The Robertson Business Chamber was among those supporting the development, describing a larger supermarket as 'long overdue' for the village.
In a submission to council, the chamber said many residents currently travel to Moss Vale, Bowral or Albion Park to complete a full weekly grocery shop and argued the expanded supermarket would allow more people to 'shop locally'.
The chamber also said the proposal would improve access for elderly residents, reduce travel costs and help retain spending within the village while creating additional local employment opportunities.
The submission further noted plans for the supermarket involved potential relocation of the Big Potato and confirmed early discussions had occurred between the landowner and the chamber regarding that possibility.
Council's assessment specifically notes the Robertson Big Potato is not a heritage-listed item and remains privately owned.
While council's strategic planning documents recognise Robertson would benefit from a stronger commercial centre, council officers concluded the proposed development was not appropriately scaled for the village and was inconsistent with the desired future character outlined in the Robertson Village Place Plan.
The debate over scale is likely to become a key issue when the Planning Panel considers the application.
Council's own planning documents acknowledge Robertson is expected to grow substantially in coming years.
The Wingecarribee Housing Strategy identifies land around the village that has been investigated for future residential development, including 100 acres that could potentially accommodate around 200 homes.
Based on average household sizes, that level of development could bring about 600 additional residents to Robertson.
However, planning projections can change significantly over time. In Bowral South, the Housing Strategy identifies capacity for about 1,100 homes, yet proposals currently being pursued exceed 2,200 homes.
If a similar pattern emerged in Robertson, the eventual number of homes and residents could be substantially higher than current projections.
That means the debate before Monday's Planning Panel is not whether Robertson will need additional retail services in the future. Both council planning documents and local business leaders agree the village is expected to grow.
The assessment by council staff also found the application failed to adequately demonstrate how the development would integrate with Robertson's established character, particularly given the site's location at one of the village's key gateway entrances.
For supporters of the proposal, the recommendation is likely to be disappointing, particularly given long-standing calls for improved shopping options within the village.
For opponents, the report validates concerns about traffic, parking, village character and the scale of the development.
The matter will be determined at an extraordinary meeting of the Wingecarribee Local Planning Panel on Monday.
Should the Planning Panel reject the development, the proponent may appeal to the Land and Environment Court. We have reached out to the proponent for comment.
We will provide readers with the outcome.
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