SEVENTY-FIVE new jobs are set to be created in Batemans Bay after Eurobodalla Shire Council unanimously approved a new Bunnings development on Tuesday night.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It comes after Bunnings walked away from its plans for a $20 million warehouse at Surf Beach in September 2012.
Bunnings chief operating officer Peter Davis said the new warehouse, at 32 Princes Highway, would replace the existing Batemans Bay store and was about four times larger.
He said it was expected to open in late 2015 and that all existing staff would transfer to the new premises.
He said Bunnings would invest about $27 million in the development, including fit-out and stock.
The new warehouse, on a two-hectare site, will have an area of more than 11,500 square metres, including the main warehouse, indoor timber trade sales area, building materials and landscape supplies yard and outdoor nursery, as well as an indoor playground, cafe and parking for about 180 cars.
Mr Davis said more than 110 staff would be employed when the store opened, which meant strong employment opportunities for residents and school leavers.
“The project is estimated to
create approximately 180 jobs during the construction phase, delivering a direct investment into the local area,” he said.
Batemans Bay Chamber of Commerce president Allan Rutherford said the Chamber “fully supported” the expansion.
“It shows the confidence Bunnings have in Batemans Bay, persevering over many years to find a suitable site,” he said.
“When complete, there will be increased employment opportunities through the retention of dollars currently spent outside the area, as well as attracting new spending to town from surrounding districts.
“There will also be further opportunity for investment in Batemans Bay with the likely redevelopment of the current Bunnings site.”
Eurobodalla mayor Lindsay Brown said Bunnings’ investment was a vote of confidence in the Eurobodalla community.
“We were very pleased to vote unanimously to approve the development and we look forward to the store being built,” he said.
“It is exciting and it shows confidence in Batemans Bay and in the Eurobodalla.
“People will able to buy products here that they would otherwise have to leave the area for.”
