The article is definitely worth reading for more context. Basically, Woolies can find it challenging to secure land for new supermarkets, so proposing to build apartments above the supermarket makes it easier for them to gain city/state approvals.

If town planners at the city and state level are competent, they could use this opportunity to mandate that Woolies build affordable or public housing as their proposal.

Wonder if renters will get 10% off their online shop, just to be bait-and-switched into in-store only?