$45m Bunnings boost for the inner south

A $45 MILLION Bunnings warehouse at Edwardstown and a major Castle Plaza makeover will create a timely economic boost for the inner south, community leaders say.

The former Bridgestone factory on South Rd, Edwardstown, which will be converted into a $45 million Bunnings warehouse. Picture: Eugene Boisvert

A $45 MILLION Bunnings warehouse at Edwardstown and a major Castle Plaza makeover will create a timely economic boost for the inner south, community leaders say.

Work has started on the new Bunnings outlet at the former Bridgestone factory on South Rd, which the company says will create 180 jobs.

Rezoning plans have also been approved to make way for redevelopment at Castle Plaza, featuring new shops and restaurants and an upgrade of Raglan Ave.

Southern Business Connections chairman Greg Garrihy said the two projects would strengthen Edwardstown’s position as an employment hub and help offset manufacturing job losses.

“Hopefully that will grow a bit because there’s been a lot of jobs lost from that location,” Mr Garrihy said.

“It will bring more people to that area and create opportunities for other businesses like cafes and restaurants.”

More than 600 tradespeople will work on the new Bunnings at 1028-1042 South Rd, which is expected to open in the first half of next year.

The biggest concern for local businesses was uncertainty over plans to create a non-stop corridor along South Rd, Mr Garrihy said.

He described the precinct around Castle Plaza as “a really big bottleneck”.

Marion Deputy Mayor Janet Byram said the two developments would help revitalise the area, alongside an $8.8 million redevelopment of Edwardstown Oval which was also underway.

Castle Plaza is owned by Vicinity Centres.

Vicinity’s executive general manager of development, Carolyn Viney, did not provide details on what the upgrade would feature.

However, the company has previously flagged potential for an Aldi and Woolworths, along with specialty shops.

“The development application provides for a proposed development that would see the introduction of additional major tenancy offers, and improvements to Raglan Ave,” Ms Viney said.

Castle Plaza, Edwardstown. Picture: Michelle Etheridge

Vicinity was working through factors including board approval and “state government and local government considerations”, she said.

The company proposed an $80 million development of the South Rd centre about a decade ago, but then scaled back on the possible size by about half, citing a downturn in the economy.

Under the plans, Raglan Ave will be revamped with extra trees and wider footpaths for outdoor dining.

It will also allow for new homes, shops and offices on nearby land to be sold off to developers.

Bunnings general manager of property Andrew Marks said the company was still deciding what to do with the former TAFE site just 2km from Edwardstown on Goodwood Rd, Panorama, where it had previously planned to build a store.

Mitcham Council’s planning panel rejected that project, following backlash from some residents.

The Marion store located within the Westfield complex would remain open, Mr Marks said.