Papamoa step closer to Pak'N Save

Papamoa is a step closer to getting its long-awaited Pak'N Save supermarket, as soil testing has begun on the site on the corner of Domain and Gravatt Rds.

 Papamoa residents have been waiting for the  supermarket since December 2006, when Foodstuffs announced its plans to build after receiving resource consent.
Angela Bull, general manager of property strategy for Foodstuffs, told the Bay of Plenty Times that progress was being made.
"We are just doing some tweaking to that resource consent currently. We remain absolutely committed to putting in a Pak'N Save at the site at Papamoa."
The changes to the resource consent involved "construction detail". "When we have had another look at it, we are making some minor changes to the detail of that consent to more accurately reflect what we would build now."
Foodstuffs could not confirm when construction would begin or when the supermarket would open.
Ms Bull was confident the supermarket would be in place before the five-year resource consent expired late next year.
But the beginning of soil testing indicates Foodstuffs is starting to move on the long-awaited project.
Ms Bull said soil testing was "just standard preliminary work that our contractors need to do, as part of the preparation for the site".
The opening of a new supermarket would be good news for Papamoa, which currently has just one supermarket, Woolworths at Palm Beach Plaza.
Neville Dixon, chairman of the Papamoa Progressive Association, said there was huge interest from the community about the project.
"Every meeting we have, someone gets up and asks 'when is Pak'N Save coming'. There's a lot of people looking forward to having it here. It seems to be a bit of an attraction for people, the question's being asked all the time."
Tauranga City councillor Wayne Moultrie, who represents Papamoa and Mount Maunganui, said the Pak'N Save could only be good for Papamoa.
"It's a central focus and it's a draw-card. There seems to be a lot of support for it. There's no doubt about it, the people out there are anxious that development should proceed."
Jane Spearman, centre manager of Fashion Island, said the supermarket  would  boost  retail in the area.
The supermarket would attract people to Fashion Island, and act as a further drawcard to shoppers from neighbouring areas such as Mount Maunganui and Te Puke.
"It will be fantastic for the area. I'm sure it will boost foot traffic around the whole area.
"Everyone is looking forward to a second supermarket in the area. It will be really good for Papamoa - it's another attraction."
The store will be almost 7,000sq m  in size and situated on the corner of Domain and Gravatt Rds in Papamoa, next to Mitre 10.
Ellen Irvine will report on issues affecting the Mount and Papamoa. If you have a story to share or something for her to look into contact her at ellen.irvine@bopp.co.n