A long-awaited shopping centre in Wagga's booming northern suburbs could soon become a reality.
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Plans for the Boorooma Shopping Precinct - which is expected to eventually include a supermarket, petrol station and specialty stores - will soon be lodged with Wagga City Council.
Fitzpatricks Real Estate commercial consultant Greg Howick said there has been a lot of action behind the scenes that residents could now be brought into the loop.
Mr Howick said there is "strong interest" to build a petrol station while the developer plans to construct eight specialty stores at the corner of Boorooma Street and Messenger Avenue "as a sign of confidence" in the project.
"We are very confident that a fuel outlet will be in there before the specialty shops are built," he said. A proposal to build the shops will be lodged to Wagga City Council with the goal of completing the development by the end of 2021, he said.
It is yet to be determined what specific stores will move into the space however, Mr Howick said it will be along the lines of food outlets and other services.
Estella Progress Association president Bruce Durham said residents have been waiting years for this news to finally come and it is pleasing to see some progress made.
"Everything has been at a standstill and everybody has been looking over their shoulder to see who was going to make the first move," he said. "At least this is a start and might shake-up the other development a bit."
However, Mr Howick said there is still uncertainty about when a long-awaited supermarket could be built for the area.
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"Negotiations for large format food retail within the precinct were delayed as a result of the COVID restrictions and the inability of key prospects to travel and the economic uncertainty," he said.
"The land is set aside for a supermarket so once they get themselves organised and can finance the development they will move in."
Mr Howick said this development is "critical" for the northern suburbs, which will take on most of the city's growth in the years to come.
"It had to get to a certain stage for when it's viable for the banks to finance it. So at this stage for this particular developer, it is viable," he said.
"We've targeted all the operators and potential purchasers and national businesses and that's why we had such a strong reaction."
Mr Durham said a supermarket in the northern suburbs is ideal, but the specialty stores and petrol station will be able to stock basic products like bread and milk for the time being.
"Many people make trips over the bridge for a couple of items, but if we can buy them locally we're saving time crossing the bridge and reducing traffic," he said.