Big store will bring 34 jobs to Dargaville

Thirty-four new jobs will be created with the opening of a new larger Countdown supermarket in Dargaville.

Progressive Enterprises has been granted resource consent for the $22 million development and work on the building will begin soon.

The 3500sq m supermarket, to be built next door to the existing Countdown store on Victoria St, is expected to be completed in early 2013.

The new store - more than 50 per cent bigger than the existing one - will feature wider aisles, self-service checkouts, 218 carparks and an on-site Lotto outlet. When it is completed, staffing is expected to increase from 86 to about 120.

Countdown expects to invest up to $22 million in the Dargaville development, including the purchase of the land, construction and supermarket fitout.

The new store will feature a range of environmental initiatives including a CO2 refrigeration plant system that will give significant energy efficiency benefits. Night blinds on refrigerated cabinets, sliding covers on freezers and energy efficient lighting among other things will also help minimise the store's carbon footprint.

Brett Ashley, operations general manager for Countdown, said the company was looking forward to giving the Dargaville community a state-of-the-art supermarket.

The existing Countdown supermarket will remain open throughout construction and will later be demolished to make way for more parking spaces, and the company hoped disruption would be minimal, he said.

The company would keep customers informed of progress and construction developments.

Kaipara Mayor Neil Tiller expressed his support for the development.

"The current store has been here for a long time, he said. "The community needs a new supermarket, and I'm pleased to see Progressive Enterprises investing significantly in Dargaville."

Part of the land was acquired in a land swap agreement with the Dargaville Gardens Trust, which is supportive of the venture.

"The Dargaville community, Kaipara District Council and Dargaville Gardens Trust have been fantastic throughout this entire process," Mr Ashley said.