Spotlight Group reveals plans for new Hervey Bay shopping centre

From the style of stores it hopes to woo to the hundreds of jobs set to be created, the Spotlight Group has revealed more details about its new shopping centre development in Hervey Bay.

The major retail conglomerate behind Hervey Bay’s newly approved $60m shopping complex on Boat Harbour Drive has released details on what size and shape the centre will take.

Spotlight and Anaconda will take significant spots leaving room for between 15 and 20 more stores.

In total, 630 retail jobs will be generated from the development.

Spotlight will move from its current Stockland Shopping Centre location and expand by 50% at the new centre, making way for Harris Scarfe in its existing spot.

“We will be looking for complimentary tenants to the Spotlight and Anaconda brands, including retailers in the sporting goods, electrical and home categories,” SPG executive deputy chairman Zac Fried said.

He said the property group would seek retailers who were innovative in their energy-efficient and sustainable methods and operations.

The development – one the group has named one of Southern Queensland’s premier large format retail destinations – was given the unanimous tick of approval by Fraser Coast councillors last month despite concerns surrounding traffic to the site and proximity to housing.

SPG quietly bought the site from Bunnings for $10m. The hardware giant had the prime parcel for more than a decade after its initial purchase to stave off then-rival Masters, according to Realestatesource.com.au.

It was originally thought to be the site of the new Bunnings store, but instead, Bunnings settled on building its new megastore on the block behind its existing store at the corner of McLiver and Main Streets.

The new SPG retail centre, which will cover 2ha of retail space on the almost 3ha block, will have two main entrances and 460 car spaces divided into 385 undercover and 75 open air spaces.

“The undercover car parks will have a 4m clearance for high vehicles and there will also be dedicated areas for customers with caravans, trailers and boats to park,” Mr Fried said.

“We will also provide dedicated parking and charging stations for mobility scooters and electric vehicles which will be powered by the solar panels on the roof.”

The position at 200 Boat Harbour Drive, between Hunter and Taylor Streets, was an ideal location for the development with main road frontage to three sides on Hervey Bay’s major road.

“Council strategically planned for the site to be developed into a large format retail development and is complementary to the more traditional shopping centres which typically have smaller shops,” he said.

ADCO Constructions is expected to begin work on the project early next year.

It would take about 12 months to complete and provide 350 full-time construction jobs, Mr Fried said.