
One of Australia’s leading hardware chains, Bunnings Warehouse, may have to navigate intricate arrangements with a local government to enhance their business footprint on Queensland’s coveted Sunshine Coast.
The Noosa Council is currently debating a proposal that would permit the expanding hardware titan, owned by Wesfarmers, to erect an adjoining Bunnings Trade centre adjacent to its pre-existing warehouse located on Eumundi Noosa Rd, Noosaville.
However, Bunnings Warehouse faces a significant challenge: the council stipulates that local businesses must adhere to a “muted tones”-only palette for their building’s exterior, a policy that seems to be in conflict with the brand’s identity. The established colour scheme of Bunnings Trade stores is predominantly white with green lettering—an aesthetic flip of the signature green with white lettering and a bold red logo found on Bunnings Warehouse buildings.
This conundrum was deliberated during the recent Noosa Council’s planning and environment committee meeting held on October 10.
Additionally, the proffered expansion project was found to exceed the council’s pre-set height limit by 2m. Addressing these concerns, Bunnings Warehouse argued that the extra height was essential for its inventory storage. The justification given was the relatively lower elevation of the proposed construction site compared to the existing building.
One of the council members, Councillor Brian Stockwell, highlighted official documents that clearly state the acceptable outcomes as “no white”.
Stockwell questioned the wisdom behind giving a green light to an aesthetic that exceeds the height limit and contradicts the designated colour scheme. In his words, “Commercial companies will want their corporate colours splashed on their buildings. However, in Noosa, we desire what our policy mandates, which are muted tones. I firmly believe they can do better.”
The final deliberation for the fate of this expansion project is set to occur on October 23.
Despite the challenges, an optimistic Bunnings spokesperson affirmed the company’s satisfaction with the council reviewing their proposal. The new trade center, according to their perspective, would enhance their overall customer experience by offering a wider variety of timber and trade products that would cater to and enrich the local community.