Bunnings trade centre to open

Invercargill’s construction boom continues with Bunnings announcing it will build a $7 million trade centre in the city which should open in the second half of 2021, the company has announced.

Bunnings New Zealand director Jacqui Coombes said the trade centre, to be located at 22 Bill Richardson Drive, represented a significant investment in the Invercargill community and was expected to create about 20 new team member jobs.

With seven other locations around New Zealand, Bunnings trade centres were dedicated stores designed to help trade customers from the building and construction industry, specialised trades such as electricians, landscapers and plumbers as well as farmers and the rural community, Coombes said.

Spanning about 4000 square metres, the trade centre would feature an enclosed trade drivethrough and have more than 20 onsite car parks.

Demolition of existing buildings on site had recently begun and construction should begin in early 2021. ‘‘We’re really looking forward to getting to know our trade customers in the area and helping them with all their project needs,’’ Coombes said.

Developer and director of CPMC Developments, Martin Russell, said: ‘‘We’re very pleased to be commencing construction on this exciting new addition to Invercargill’s growing commercial district. This project will generate upwards of 80 jobs during delivery and provide a valuable resource for the local community.’’

The announcement continues a building boom for Invercargill with major projects already underway including a CBD block rebuild and a new ILT hotel currently being built in the CBD.

Invercargill-based Archer Construction director Kerry Archer said he wasn’t surprised Bunnings was moving in, as there had been rumours for years.

Invercargill was already well supplied with trade merchants but he believed a bit of competition was always a good thing.

But Archer said Southlanders were loyal to their merchants.

‘‘You generally build up a fairly good relationship with one or two and they are your main suppliers, it takes quite a bit to change that relationship and it’s normally going to be priced based.’’

He would check out Bunnings for pricing to see how it stacked up, he said. ‘‘It’s good they have the forethought that the market will stay strong and they can see positives down here.’’

Invercargill’s Laser Plumbing owner Jason Rutledge said the opening of the Bunnings trade centre would give him another option when buying material, while it would create jobs both during construction and after it was opened. ‘‘It’s got to be a good thing.’’

Gore’s Ajax Building director Greg McIntosh said he did his business through Placemakers in Gore so the the opening of the Bunnings trade centre in Invercargill would not affect him.