NEW jobs and a boost to the regional economy were the benefits of a Bunnings Warehouse destined for a Princes Highway site, business and shire officials claimed on Thursday.
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Officially launching the construction phase of the long-awaited project, Eurobodalla Shire Mayor Lindsay Brown said the $27 million project was a major investment in the regional economy.
Demolition and initial ground-works have been completed on the former Forests NSW site at 32 Princes Highway and the store is due to be completed late next year.
The store is expected to cover 11,500 square metres, four times the capacity of the current store.
Eurobodalla firm Edwards Construction is building the store.
Bunnings staff members met Mr Brown, general manager Catherine Dale and planning director Lindsay Usher on site on Thursday afternoon.
“It’s wonderful to see a strong show of confidence in our shire and an investment by Bunnings which will create jobs during the construction phase and deliver full-time employment into the future,” Mr Brown said.
Bunnings property development manager for NSW and the ACT, Ben Fogarty, said 75 people would be recruited for the new store, bringing the total number of staff members to more than 110.
“Approximately 180 construction jobs are expected to be created through the construction process,” Mr Fogarty said.
Dr Dale said the store would create sustainable jobs, less at the mercy of the tourism dollar.
“They are all year round,” she said.
“Some of our businesses are seasonal, but a retail store is more sustainable over 12 months.
“You don’t tend to get the peaks and troughs you might in other sectors.”
Bunnings’ plans to open a larger store in the shire have taken years to materialise, after hopes of opening on a greenfield council-owned site in Surf Beach were blocked.
Mr Usher said the impact on the regional economy was critical.
“It brings direct jobs, but there is also the flow-on effect to contractors and suppliers, which is important for businesses,” he said.
“The impact will be felt throughout the community.”
Bunnings’ current store manager Nicholas Hare said staff were excited.
“The feeling in the store is nothing short of euphoria,” he said.
“It has been overwhelming to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It has finally happened and the outcome will be amazing for us.”
The store will feature a main warehouse, indoor timber trade sales area, building materials and landscape supplies yard and outdoor nursery, as well as an indoor playground, café and parking for about 170 cars.
Mr Fogarty said water and energy saving features would be incorporated, including energy-efficient fluorescent and LED lighting.
Rainwater will be stored in tanks to irrigate the nursery and provide water for amenities.
A solar-boosted hot-water system will reduce energy consumption.