Whangarei's newest big-box development and the infusion of $20 million into the Whangarei district's coffers for sale of the site have come a step closer.
The Whangarei District Council has announced that two major retailers have signed conditional lease agreements, in the proposed $80 million complex, with developer BWH Properties. At
least one of the yet-to-be named retailers is new to Northland.
In a merry-go-round of decision-making, the leases are subject to final layout plans and approval of the resource consents - and the sale of the $20 million site is subject to approval of the resource consents.
The fact that the announcement about the lease agreements has come from the WDC rather than the developer indicates that the present council is very much on-side with the project, but the final decisions will rest with the new council, currently being elected by postal ballot.
The development of the area known as the Old Boys' land is set to begin next year subject to the timing of these consents being approved.
BWH Properties spokesman Wayne Hill said he was determined to use Northland-based contractors, and that the consortium did not intend to relocate other existing outlets to Okara.
"We plan to introduce to Whangarei a number of new-to-Northland retailers to make the combined Okara area an exciting shopping destination," he said. Plans to build a large-scale shopping centre followed a review of retail developments around Australia and New Zealand, which showed a trend towards larger shopping complexes with undercover parking. "I see this development tying into the existing Okara retail complex and consolidating big-box retailing in a logical centre not far from the CBD instead of having development happening all over the place," he said.
Whangarei Mayor Stan Semenoff said the fact that a local firm would be carry out the development would be a huge economic boost to Whangarei.
"The jobs in construction and in the new stores will make a significant difference to the district," he said.
