Keeping an eye on retail chain

IT’S pleasing that Woolworths plans to build and open a long-promised supermarket and shopping centre at Gordonvale far sooner than the sixyear extension it has applied for.

It was reported in Wednesday’s Cairns Post that the retail chain’s property arm had applied for an extension to its current development approval until November, 2025.

Woolworths now says construction will start well before 2025 and it expects to open by the end of next year.

“We are currently progressing an infrastructure agreement with the council for the construction of Fischer Road,” the fresh food giant said.

It said the new road would provide easy access and “a much needed road link further south”.

Woolworths said it “remains absolutely committed to the Gordonvale shopping centre development and will make an announcement later in the year on the commencement of construction”.

The project is a 3200sqm centre with a full line supermarket and speciality stores and a four ‘green’ star rating.

Hundred of construction jobs and 120 operational jobs will be created.

Woolworths also says, pending approvals at Trinity Beach and Cairns Central, it is investing more than $40 million in Cairns and providing more than 450 new jobs.

Woolworths says it will provide Gordonvale residents and the broader community a modern convenient and sustainable neighbourhood shopping centre long into the future.

Many developments have been promised in the Far North and we have been disappointed.

The Cairns Post will watch with interest how these ones pan out.