Retail go-ahead
A $25 million retail precinct incorporating a Kmart store is a step closer after the state government gave the green light to rezone land in Warragul. The land, on the corner of Queen St and Hazel Drv, has been rezoned from bulky goods to retail. A planning application for the development is expected to be lodged soon with the expectation council will approve the proposal. The proposal, outlined to Baw Baw Shire in February, indicated the retail precinct would include Kmart, Bunnings and possibly a Dan Murphy’s store. On behalf of the developer H. Troon Pty Ltd, Tom McInerney told council Kmart and Bunnings were both “board approved” for the development, but signing leases was subject to planning approval. It is expected the development will create 292 full time equivalent jobs. Mr McInerney said there would be about 150 people a day working on the site during construction. He said the development was valued at $25 million, and the fit-out by tenants could be another $30 million.
From p1 Planning Minister Richard Wynne announced on Thursday he had approved amendment to the Baw Baw Planning Scheme.
The new zoning will allow for a retail precinct that can incorporate a department store, bottle shop and restaurant.
Mayor Joe Gauci said council expected a formal planning application from the developer was “imminent.”
Cr Gauci said council and the Warragul Business Group had supported the application to rezone the land.
“Until that was done, a planning application couldn’t be put forward. So we would think the application is now imminent,” he said.
Cr Gauci said council had a concierge planning process in place that would help to streamline the approvals process.
He said council had been advocating for this type of development for some time and it was great council could now progress conversations with developers and bring more diverse shopping to the shire.
“Our community has been crying out for this type of retail development, but without appropriate land and zoning it’s been difficult to get prospective developers onside.
“Now that the appropriate zoning is in place, we have the green light to accept applications for more retail development and help make this happen,” he said.
Council initiated a Facebook poll earlier this year which showed 97 per cent of the 2750 respondents supported a discount department store in Warragul.
“This is not about taking business away from the Warragul central business district, this is about redirecting discount department store spending that is currently directed outside the catchment to stores in Moe, Morwell and Pakenham.
“It provides our growing community with local jobs and better options for shopping and keeping jobs and spending locally.
“The ongoing retail employment opportunities would be particularly important for young people, who often must travel outside Warragul to access employment positions,” Cr Gauci said.
Mr Wynne said Baw Baw Shire was one of three municipalities identified within the state government’s $50 million economic growth zone in the Latrobe Valley region.
Member for Eastern Victoria Region Harriet Shing said it was a major development precinct that would secure hundreds of jobs and deliver significant economic growth for the Warragul community.
“The Victorian Government is committed to supporting people and townships within the Latrobe Valley region through our $266 million investment to stimulate economic growth and to see our towns and regional centres reach their full potential and accommodate population growth into the future,” she said.