A shopping centre, a school and service station have all been on the cards to open in Estella but residents have been left in the dark as developments have been stuck in the planning stages. 

However, site manager Raine and Horne Wagga said mid this year the community can expect to see more action on Rainbow Drive. 

“Developers are selling assets to free up additional equity for the development and everything is moving forward,” said Raine and Horne’s director Craig Tait. 

“We had the initial waterworks by Riverina Water and some infrastructure works are in preparation, so it’s just a matter of finance being approved.” 

The shopping centre is proposed to be located on 2-12 Rainbow Drive, Estella. 

Mr Tait said while they are still at the planning stages, a FoodWorks supermarket and a Chemist Warehouse are still likely to be tenants in the shopping centre proposal. 

“There’s almost 2000 square metres of supermarket tenancy and about another 1800 sqm of specialty retail shops, including a pharmacy, cafe, hairdresser, local operators for a take away shop and a bottle shop,” he said. 

James Whiteley built his Estella home in 2014 and said it was time residents were properly informed about the development plans. 

“It’s been pretty frustrating because ever since we’ve been out here, the sign on the vacant corner block has said ‘coming soon’, but it’s constantly been pushed back,” Mr Whiteley said. 

“We hear this issue every six months but there is nothing concrete and we just want a straight answer. 

“A realistic time frame to at least inform people and get rid of that uncertainty that has been clouding it for well over five years.” 

Mr Whiteley said he cannot understand why an area that has been booming in residential developments has not received any shops or services. 

“Besides some water infrastructure being installed there hasn’t been much going on at all,” he said. 

“From a homeowners point-of-view, it’s not too hard to go into town to get stuff, but it would be so handy. 

“And, economically it would stack up quite well with the community on the north side that has really expanded with Boorooma, Gobbagombalin and Estella Rise.” 

Another Estella resident Matthew Hawker said this has been a “frustrating” issue that he has dealt with since he moved there eight years ago. 

“I would love to see shops opening as we’ve been waiting for a long time and we’re not asking for a supermarket, just a corner shop where we can get some milk and bread,” Mr Hawker said. 

“I think it would be pretty well supported, even a coffee shop or a tavern would be nice, but we won’t hold our breath.” 

Mr Hawker said he does not believe people would be deterred from living in Wagga’s northern suburbs due to a lack of shops and services. 

“It’s a good area to live in but it digging up that they need something out here for us,” he said. 

“The opened South City Shopping Centre when that area expanded, so why not our area?” 

Independent property valuer Chris Egan said Wagga’s northern suburbs are “one of the most positive growth areas” and therefore need services out there. 

“They need coffee shops, service stations and stores that you would find in a suburban shopping centre as residents out there are screaming for these services,” Mr Egan said. 

“A supermarket has been proposed and its footprint will expand as demand dictates, which is really sensible.”

However, Mr Egan said in the current commercial climate of high rents, the “economic feasibility” is still being evaluated. 

The Daily Advertiser contacted the owner of the supermarket development site but he did not return calls. 

The Barker Group has been working on a plan to establish a new commercial precinct on the corner of Boorooma Street and Messenger Avenue, Estella. 

According to the website, the development ranging from service station, supermarket and food and retail outlets, is scheduled to commence mid-2019, with the first tenants operating from this location by the end of the year. 

But, Travis Barker said it’s a “big fat zero” on updates in the northern suburbs. 

“The plans are still in negotiations with tenants and the landlords,” he said.