WOOLWORTHS is looking to increase its capacity for click and collect orders in Bathurst in response to high demand during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The supermarket has lodged a development application (DA) with Bathurst Regional Council, seeking to construct a drive-through "direct to boot" grocery pick-up service associated with the Bathurst City Centre Woolworths store.
Under the $780,000 proposal, six pick-up car parking bays would be provided in a drive-through format and a new storage area for grocery collection, including cold room and freezer, would be established in the area known as basement two of the shopping centre.
The DA seeks consent for internal alterations to the car parking area and supermarket, as well as to undertake demolition works to facilitate the new development.
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A Woolworths spokesperson told the Western Advocate that contactless grocery collection has been incredibly popular during the pandemic. This has prompted the plans to expand the direct to boot service.
"Our direct to boot service at the new-look Woolworths Bathurst City Centre store has been remarkably popular since the launch earlier this year, particularly the last few months as the pandemic continues," the spokesperson said.
"With three allocated pick-up bays near the store, this contactless service allows customers to order online and have our personal shoppers handpick and deliver groceries directly to their boot.
"We've received positive feedback from Bathurst locals for the service as customers save time and enjoy more convenience in their shopping experience."
It's not the first time that Woolworths has done something like this in Bathurst.
In June, 2020, council granted approval for alterations to the premises that included three Woolworths pick-up bays and a pick-up order processing area.
This resulted in the conversion of four general public car parking spaces to facilitate the pick-up bays, resulting in the loss of one parking space from the Bathurst City Centre car park.
For the new plans to go ahead, it will require the removal of five general public car parking spaces.
According to the traffic report submitted with the DA, the proposal represents a technical deficit of one standard space when considered against that required under the existing development consent for standard bays.
"However, it is anticipated that the customer pick-up facility, with six spaces, would actually reduce the parking demand for standard supermarket spaces. As such, the proposal is not anticipated to materially impact the existing parking demands," the traffic report concluded.
"... The proposed development has been assessed to function such that it will not result in any adverse impacts on the surrounding road network, the internal road network or the availability of on-street parking."
Should the plans be approved, it will increase capacity for contactless grocery pick-up.
When customers arrive at the drive through spaces, they can tap "I'm here" on the SMS or the Woolworths app to indicate their arrival. Staff will then place their order in the boot.
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