Bunnings to move from its existing Wonthella site to new $30m expansion of Geraldton Homemaker Centre

Bunnings is set to relocate from its long-term base in Wonthella a little further up the highway, with plans to move into the Geraldton Homemaker Centre as part of a $30 million expansion plan of the precinct. A development application approved by the City of Greater Geraldton in April reveals the two main tenants of the revamped Homemaker Centre on North West Coastal Highway will be Bunnings and Harvey Norman. Under the proposal, the centre will be transformed from a “U-shaped building” into “two separate parallel buildings”, which would expand behind the existing premises and eastward towards Place Road, totalling 38,471sqm of floor space. Bunnings would take up 16,743sqm and Harvey Norman 5072sqm. Four other proposed tenancies for “bulky goods showrooms” would total another 3975sqm. An existing 3705sqm of the Homemaker Centre would be demolished, while 12,681sqm would be retained. A timeline for construction has not been confirmed, but it is understand those behind the project want to start soon. Bunnings director of property Garry James confirmed the move was in progress. “We can confirm a development application, led by a third-party developer, is in progress for a new homemaker centre in Geraldton, which includes a proposed new Bunnings store,” he said. “We’ve been part of the Geraldton community since 2001, and we look forward to continuing to provide great customer service and the best experience at the proposed new store.” City of Greater Geraldton director of development services Ryan Hall said: “We issued the approvals a few months ago . . . the construction hasn’t started, but all their approvals are in place and that’s going to happen. “It will basically double it (Homemaker Centre). They’re gearing up for it, it will be concrete tilt-up panels, which is pretty rapid construction.” In other development activity around Geraldton, works are progressing at a nearby site on Place Road on a $9.9m development, next to the BP service station, that will include a fast food outlet, auto repair shop, hardware store and a camping and fishing retailer. Another project on NWCH, opposite Aldi, featuring Rebel Sport and Red Dot is nearing completion. Meanwhile, two proposals for 7/11 service stations — one on Flores Road in Spalding and another on Durlacher Street next to Rigters IGA — have recently received development approval. A $7.3m expansion of the BCF complex next to Bunnings in Wonthella also received the development green light last year. Mining company Fenix Resources is also developing a $30m venture off Ord Street near NWCH, involving 60 “quality dwellings” for its workers. Mr Hall said some commercial developments were stalling because of rising costs. “The cost of construction has really hurt a lot of investments and developments from going ahead,” he said. “They’re not going away, but what they’re having to do is revise their plans and get a more cost-effective solution . . . because the price has gone up on everything. “The commercial projects, they’re still there. They’re running the ruler over their designs and trying to get the costs down. “ Mr Hall said in the interim, the housing construction market has picked up pace and was overtaking the level of commercial activity. HOUSING TURNAROUNDReport Page 17