The heavy machinery has moved in with earthworks under way on the site of the Sovereign Hills town centre.
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The start of earthworks signals a step forward for the first stage of the Sovereign Hills retail hub.
The developer of the master planned community, Lewis Land Group, expects the earthworks to take place over the coming two months as the detailed design work continues.
Lewis Land Group head of development Michael Long said they intended to start physical building works in October 2018.
Stage one comprises 5600 square metres of retail space, including a Hastings Co-op IGA supermarket, surrounded by landscaped areas at the junction of Chancellors and John Oxley Drive.
The town centre will grow in stages to more than 25,000 square metres.
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“Lewis Land Group is delighted to be providing the first stage of planned convenience shopping with a quality mix of supermarket, chemist, medical, convenience and restaurant offerings,” Mr Long said.
“We see this as an integral stage of delivery for the Sovereign Hills master planned community.”
Lewis Land Group anticipates the tender process with potential building contractors will start in August with plans to open the town centre for business in late 2019.
Sovereign Hills resident Laura Tarrant said it was great that earthworks had started.
She said the town centre would make shopping more convenient, especially for young families.
Resident Janelle Kensley enjoys the lifestyle at Sovereign Hills.
She is looking forward to the completion of the stage one town centre works.
“As far as I am concerned, they can’t get it done quickly enough,” Miss Kensley said.
Hastings Co-op is excited about the earthworks milestone for stage one of the Sovereign Hills town centre.
Work is also progressing behind the scenes on the co-operative’s IGA supermarket, hardware and liquor store in the heart of the centre, which will open in October 2019.
Chief executive officer Allan Gordon said the new store would be an integral part of Hastings Co-op’s family of 15 businesses, creating 80 to 100 jobs.
“Uniquely, our IGA store will incorporate a full-service hardware store where customers will be able to buy everything from a hammer to landscaping supplies,” he said.
“Covering more than 600 square metres, the hardware component will add a great dimension to our offering.”
Meanwhile, Lewis Land Group remains committed to employment growth throughout the Sovereign Hills estate and expects the town centre will create hundreds of jobs, both during and after the construction phase.
The open-air design will feature roof-mounted solar panels, with rainwater harvesting to be utilised for all landscaping irrigation, while recycled bricks and natural timbers will form the key architectural features of the building.
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