A panel has given the planning go ahead for an application which paves the way for a new Bunnings Warehouse in Port Macquarie.

The Northern Joint Regional Planning Panel approved an application to modify a bulky goods premises and hardware and building supplies development at 18 John Oxley Drive.

A new Bunnings Warehouse will underpin the development.

The development includes approval for an intersection with traffic lights and about a 250 metre-long upgrade of John Oxley Drive to dual carriageway.

Bunnings is awaiting official documentation from the planning panel which confirms its decision for a new Bunnings Warehouse in Port Macquarie.

Andrew Marks, Bunnings general manager, property said once confirmed, the new Bunnings Warehouse Port Macquarie development would represent an investment of more than $43 million for the land, construction, fit-out and stock.

He said it was expected to create more than 60 new jobs for local residents with a further 250 jobs during construction. 

“All team members from the current warehouse will transfer to the new store once complete,” Mr Marks said.

Bunnings hopes to commence construction on site in the coming months and anticipates the store will be completed in 2019.

The originally approved bulky goods development, including a Masters Home Improvement Store, stalled due to the downfall of Masters.

The development is back on track with Bunnings on board. The new Bunnings store will replace the Lake Road outlet.

The modification application included re-positioning of each building, minor floor area changes and minor modifications to the car park.

The application was unanimously approved during a Northern Joint Regional Planning Panel meeting in Port Macquarie on April 10.

Planning panel chairman Garry West said one of the modification application’s changes was extending the acoustic barrier for the full length of the boundary with Sienna Grange and landscaping all the way.