BUNNINGS Port Macquarie has confirmed it plans to relocate to the site formerly earmarked for Masters on John Oxley Drive.
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The $43 million proposal to move the warehouse will be put to Port Macquarie-Hastings Council for approval and if given the green light, will mean more jobs for the region.
The finer details of the development application are not yet known, particularly in relation to how an already gridlocked road network between Wrights Road and Lake Road will cope with the presence of a bigger warehouse at this prime location.
What has been confirmed however, is that if approved and on completion, Bunnings’ multi-million expansion investment will equate to employment.
The development could create more than 60 jobs for local residents in addition to the 130 current team members who will transfer to the new store once complete.
- Andrew Marks, Bunnings general manager property
Bunnings’ general manager for property Andrew Marks said the development application proposes a new warehouse with a footprint of more than 18,000 square metres.
”If approved, the new Bunnings Warehouse development would represent an investment of over $43 million,” Mr Marks told the Port News.
“The development could create more than 60 jobs for local residents in addition to the 130 current team members who will transfer to the new store once complete.
“There will also be over 250 jobs created during construction.”
The warehouse will be located at 18 John Oxley Drive Port Macquarie. The site will be leased.
This 4.8 hectare site was formerly occupied by the Port Gateway Residential Park before being sold off for a proposed Masters development.
Rezoning for bulky goods retail was completed in 2014 with the site earmarked for a Masters store.
The Masters development included parking for 385 vehicles and primary entry to the site via John Oxley Drive.
The decision to rezone the land to permit bulky goods retail was clouded with significant concern about traffic congestion in the area. Residential sprawl at Sovereign Hills, the expansion of Port Macquarie Base Hospital, University of NSW clinical school, medical centres on Highfields Circuit and Charles Sturt University campus has significantly increased the capacity between Wrights Road and Lake Road roundabouts.
In 2016, Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) completed a $3 million project in an attempt to ease traffic congestion at the Wrights Road roundabout by installing traffic signals on the eastbound leg of the roundabout while also adding slip lanes.
“Bunnings looks forward to continuing to work with Port Macquarie-Hastings Council and the local community throughout the development application process,” Mr Marks added.
Bunnings is one of the leading retailers of home improvement and outdoor living products in Australia and New Zealand and a major supplier to project builders, commercial tradespeople and the housing industry.
Operating from a network of large warehouse stores, smaller format stores, trade centres and frame and truss sites, Bunnings aims to cater for consumer and commercial customers.
Revenue across the 2017 financial year totalled $11.5 billion.
As of June 30, 2017 there were 249 warehouses, 77 smaller format stores, 33 trade centres and three frame and truss centres operating across Australia and New Zealand employing more than 40,000 people.
