New supermarket for Bay

HANDY: Lakes residents Josh and Maria Norton and 11-month-old Susanna are looking forward to a proposed new supermarket in the Tauriko Business Estate.

Plans have been revealed for a major supermarket and service station to be built as part of a new shopping complex in an emerging business hub.

The new supermarket could bring another 100 jobs to Tauranga.

Progressive Enterprises has unveiled its plans for a new store, Countdown Tauranga Crossing, on Taurikura Drive as part of the commercial development in Tauriko.

"We've been working with local developer Stilwell to include a Countdown supermarket as part of their new town centre plans in Tauriko," a Countdown spokeswoman said.

The company had applied for a liquor licence and was in the process of having it approved as part of a larger package of resource consent, she said.

Tauriko developer and director of Calland Properties Richard Stilwell did not respond to calls from the Bay of Plenty Times Weekend.

Tauranga City Council acting manager of environmental planning Natalie Rutland said resource consent for a shopping centre including a supermarket on the site had been approved by the council in February 2012.

Tauranga Chamber of Commerce chief executive Dave Burnett said the shopping complex, which he believed would also include a new service station, was great news.

"I think it's fantastic for the region. Once again it's just growth coming into Tauranga. We're seeing that particularly in Tauriko," he said.

"That's fantastic for Tauranga. That just means more jobs, more growth. All in all, it's going to mean great things down that way in Tauriko and the residents of The Lakes and also surrounding areas, Bethlehem and Pyes Pa."

The Lakes residents Josh and Maria Norton said it was about time a supermarket was built to cater for the suburb's growing population.

The couple and their 11-month-old daughter Susanna moved from Gate Pa in December.

"We still go to Fraser Cove or Pak'n Save. It's definitely doubled our petrol bill since we moved from Gate Pa," Mrs Norton said.

"It's definitely about time. There's nothing here. Not even a dairy."

Mr Norton works from home, so could not even go to the supermarket on the way home.

"Because I work from home there's hardly ever a reason to leave home. I think we're hanging out for it."

Another Countdown under construction in Bureta is due to open in October and would employ about 120 people.

Negotiations were also under way with a supermarket chain interested in building a new store in the $11 million Pyes Pa development, which would also include a medical clinic, pharmacy and several restaurants and eateries.

"That just supplies the growth coming in to Tauranga obviously with new businesses relocating here," Mr Burnett said.

"It just goes hand in hand with economic development."

Bayleys commercial agent Rob Pinny, who is marketing the Pyes Pa development, said they were close to closing the deal with the supermarket chain and already had a number of other businesses signed up.

The Liz van Welie Aquatic Centre will anchor the project and feature a purpose-built learner pool for parents and babies from 12 weeks old and a 25-metre pool.