AFTER three years of negotiations and complex contract inclusions, Woolworths has lodged a development application (DA).
The company has secured agreement with several parties owning property in the Auckland St, Upper St and Zingel Place precinct to enable the lodgement of the DA for a major retail and commercial development in Bega.
Woolworths’ investment will exceed $70 million.
Those parties include Bega RSL Club, Bottomline Pty Ltd, the Department of Lands and Bega Valley Shire Council, who have come together to enable this exciting project that sets Bega on the map as the regional centre of the Far South Coast.
Mayor Tony Allen who was instrumental in achieving a sound financial return for the community said: “This is an enormous opportunity for Bega and the Valley to leap forward”.
“Over 200 new jobs are anticipated from this development and the mix of Woolworths, Big W and speciality shops reinforce Bega as an attractive place to shop,” he said.
“It will continue to make the shire self-sufficient in its offer of retail, health and educations services.
“I would like to acknowledge the foresight and perseverance of Woolworths, particularly Nigel Smith and the Director of Property Ralph Kemmler, who have shown their confidence in the Bega Valley as a go ahead place and worthy of this scale of investment.
“We anticipate the bulk of the proceeds from the sale of part Zingel Place as well as council’s share of the sale of the Crown Lands (the town hall supper rooms) will be reinvested as an upgrade for Littleton Gardens and the redevelopment of the Town Hall.
“The lodgement of the DA yesterday, followed extensive research by Woolworths into the traffic, geotechnical and other studies required to accompany the DA.
“The application will be placed on exhibition for public comment and will be referred to an independent consultant to assess its merits against relevant planning legislation and Council policy.
Cr Allen said the role the Bega Chamber of Commerce and Industry has played, and will play through this application and development process, was respected.
“Council had separately commissioned an independent Retail Impact Study that guided its decision to limit the scale of the development to 4000 m2 of retail and commercial space,” he said.
“We look forward to continue working through the issues with the Chamber.”
Woolworths Director of Property Ralph Kemmler said the company was very pleased to lodge the DA after many years of planning and discussion.
“This has been a complex transaction conducted over a long period of time but it was important to reach the right outcome for all involved including the community, Bega RSL Club, Bega Valley Motors, and Wool-worths,” he said
BIG W National Development Manager Nigel Smith said the development was a $70 million investment in Bega which would bring significant economic and employment benefits.
“Both the Woolworths and BIG W stores will be built to the very latest design including self-serve checkouts and wider aisles,” he said.
“They will also feature advanced environmental technologies such as energy-efficient air conditioning systems, low energy lighting and night blinds to trap cold air within fridges.”
Mr Smith said the development – to be called Bega Marketplace - was designed to complement the town’s existing retailers with only limited specialty stores.
“The addition of a major national retailer like BIG W will consolidate Bega’s position as a major shopping destination, act as a catalyst for further economic development and encourage people to visit from all over the south coast,” he said.
Upon DA approval, the Bega Marketplace could be open by 2011.
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