By Jeremy Sollars
The Southern Downs Regional Council says the development of a new Bunnings outlet in Warwick represents a $16 million investment in the local economy and will create 50 new jobs.
As reported in the Free Times last week, real estate agent Helen Harm withdrew an appeal she lodged in the Planning and Environment Court of Queensland against the approval by the council of the new Bunnings, on vacant land at the corner of Canning and Condamine streets behind KFC, in the Condamine River floodplain.
Ms Harm contended that nearly four metres of fill approved to be brought onto the site for construction of the new Bunnings would have a detrimental effect on future flooding, but was forced to withdraw her legal action due to costs.
In a statement released yesterday, Mayor Tracy Dobie said she was “pleased that the development now had the approvals in place to proceed and looked forward to works commencing in the near future”.
The council’s manager of Economic Development and Tourism, Scott Templeman, said “not only will there be an extra 50 jobs, council’s economic impact model indicates that there will be a further 10 jobs created to help support the direct new jobs at Bunnings”.
“The new Bunnings Warehouse will help to encourage people in the Southern Downs region to shop locally rather than going to Toowoomba or other cities,” he said.
“Not only will Bunnings provide new jobs, but we’re also excited by the new jobs provided by the Rose City Shopping World expansion and the continued investment by Churches of Christ into aged care.
“The new clubhouse being built at Churches of Christ Regency Park Retirement Village is due to be finished by the end of this year.
“The investment by Churches of Christ represents over $30 million into the region.
“The Rose City Shopping World $40 million redevelopment and expansion is expected to be completed later this year.
“It’s expected to create 200 permanent local jobs to be created and for Rose City to attract shoppers from throughout the region and northern New South Wales.”
