Charlotte Varcoe
DEVELOPERS are hoping to bring big brand names to Mount Gambier/Berrin in yet another homemaker centre proposal.
The new centre is expected to be built adjacent to the current Mount Gambier Marketplace complex, expanding on the current shopping centre.
The proposal can accommodate in excess of 16,000 square metres of large format retail.
In total, the site will take up 43,770 square metres with tenancies ranging from 596 square metres to 2678.
Axiom Properties general manager Paul Rouvray – who submitted the proposal – said the intention was to “build more retail” in Mount Gambier/Berrin to work with what was already here.
“We want to make it one big centre, focusing on the large form of retail,” Mr Rouvray said.
“We identified a potential in Mount Gambier and there is a shortage and demand for more large format.
“Having done our demographic analysis we liked the story there and we think there is potential to create something of substance hence why we bought the site.”
He said although the centre was still in early days, the developers were now in the process of the planning phase before looking for approval in the coming months.
“There are quite a few retail gaps in Mount Gambier and there are a number of retailers that are not in town who want to be,” Mr Rouvray said
“Speaking to them it is also part of the reason why we are interested in the site and this will bring jobs, better retail offerings and a better economy if we manage to build a centre of this size.
“It will also help the local economy in lots of ways in relation to trades workers.”
He said it would also give shoppers in Mount Gambier “one location for everything” with the Bunnings and Big W already on the adjacent lot.
“It is a great location and a great chance to get one-on-one spot trading,” Mr Rouvray said.
“I do not think it will bring attention away from the main street either as there will always be that main street retail stores which are already established and are good retail.
“We are not trying to take from the city centre, we are just trying to create a large format retail offering in a good location because this particular retail trades better together.”
Despite the plans coming together, Mr Rouvray said it was never possible to guarantee to fill all retail tenancies but remained confident the proposal was able to “get off the ground”.
The announcement comes a year following the announcement of a homemakers centre in development on Jubilee Highway.
Last year, Commercial and General executive chairman Jamie McClurg announced the proposal stating it was “really coming” to an age in terms of the availability of services.
“It’s one of those things where seeing that happen and then talking with retailers has meant it’s now the time where Mount Gambier is ready,” Mr McClurg said in a previous report.
Mr Rouvray said he did not know much about the other homemaker centre proposal but he guessed it would be something similar.
Mr McClurg was approached for further comment but declined.
