The construction of a new $24 million Bunnings Warehouse in Wagga will go ahead once the company designs traffic lights for a nearby intersection.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Wagga City Council has approved the application to build an 18,000 square metre warehouse on the corner of the Sturt Highway and Pearson Street, subject to certain conditions.
These conditions include multiple tweaks to the current plans as well as the design and configuration of traffic lights at the intersection of Pearson and Bye Streets.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Major upgrades to the intersection were deemed necessary as council has called for the only customer exit to the warehouse to be located on Saxon Street, which connects to the road network through Bye Street.
The previously submitted plans for the development included entries and exits for customers on the Sturt Highway and Pearson Street.
To preserve traffic flow council has said the highway access must be entry-only and the Pearson Street accessway must be removed entirely.
Bunnings' director of property and store development Andrew Marks said the company will review the conditions.
"We're pleased to have received development approval for a new warehouse in Wagga Wagga, however there are a number of conditions that require consideration," he said.
"We are committed to bringing a bigger and better store to the local Wagga community ... however we need to ensure an appropriate traffic outcome is achieved to allow customers safe and efficient access."
Mr Marks said there is no timeframe for the development at this stage.
The new warehouse will have parking for over 400 cars and will include a main warehouse, an outdoor nursery, a timber trade sales and building materials area, a cafe and a playground.
Robert Sinclair, the owner of Empire 24hr Gym on Bye Street, was concerned about the decision to funnel all outgoing Bunnings customers through the one exit.
"I can understand their line of thinking but that is a lot of people that they're talking about sending through one exit point and onto a small street so I think that's a huge worry," Mr Sinclair said.
"It will make Bye Street it's own little four-lane highway - except it's not four lanes. It sounds bizarre to me."
Mr Sinclair did not have any major issues with the installation of traffic lights on the Pearson and Bye Street intersection but said the lights will probably make an already congested street even slower.
The new warehouse will be 5000 square metres larger than the existing Wagga Bunnings.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark dailyadvertiser.com.au
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters