A NEW Kmart could be up and running in Port Macquarie in just over a year.
THE development application for a Kmart supermarket in Park Street, Port Macquarie, has received the official tick of approval from Port Macquarie-Hastings Council.
Council resolved at its May meeting last week to approve the $17.6 million development, paving the way for construction to commence.
Welcoming the news, Kmart general manager property Ben Smith said Kmart was very pleased to have development approval for the land, which fronts Park and Warlters streets near the Settlement City McDonald’s.
“We will continue to work closely with Port Macquarie-Hastings Council to bring the community a desirable retail destination,” Mr Smith said.
“We look forward to the next steps of the project and commencing on site in due course.
“The three-hectare site will feature a new concept Kmart store, speciality shops and a mezzanine level.
“Project completion will take approximately one year from when we start on site.”
Mayor Peter Besseling described the approval of the development application as another significant step forward in the town’s development.
He said the complex would not only cater to local residents – encouraging them to do more of their shopping locally – but would also help attract people to the region.
Cr Besseling said the proposal had been the subject of extensive community consultation and the council was confident that the Kmart development would enhance the Settlement City area.
The Kmart complex – including specialty shops, signage, car parking and associated infrastructure – will be built on the vacant site previously occupied by St Joseph’s Regional High School.
The land is zoned B3 Commercial Core and has been identified in the council’s retail strategy for the past decade as having potential for the expansion of the Greater Port Macquarie Central Business District Area. The Kmart proposal is also consistent with the principles of the Settlement City Precinct Structure Plan.
In reaching its decision, the council concluded that the Park Street site was suitable for the proposed development, was not contrary to the public’s interest and would not have a significant adverse social, environmental or economic impact.
The council’s development and environment director Matt Rogers said Kmart had entered into an agreement with the council to undertake a number of pedestrian and traffic improvements.
Those improvements will include the installation of traffic lights on the corner of Park and Warlters streets, the upgrade of Warlters Street to a four-lane median-separated carriageway and a pedestrian crossing in Park Street linking a proposed town square with the adjacent marina development.
Kmart news just what the doctor ordered
THE positive news was just what the business community in Port Macquarie needed, with a number of businesses shutting their doors in recent times and others announcing closing-down sales.
The list includes Mathers in Settlement City, Man to Man in Port Central, the Lizzie-Lou Boutique in William Street and Aussie Disposals and Crazy Clark’s in the Shores Retail Centre, although the Shores retail complex is about to undergo a major facelift and it is possible Crazy Clark’s may re-open in the new-look centre. The Transit clothing store in Port Central has also not been open for business in the past couple of weeks, with a notice on the door giving a Port Central management contact.
While no-one likes to see a business fail, shoppers are lapping up the bargains as stores slash prices in their final trading days.
