Tenders for Anaconda’s prime Bruce Hwy site still open with 50 trades involved

A long-anticipated $20m to $30m retail development in Rockhampton is closing in on a possible start date with tenders on the project to close next week.

Artist impression of the Anaconda retail project on Moores Creek Road near Stockland.

The long-anticipated Anaconda retail development in North Rockhampton is closing in on a possible start date with tenders on the $20m to $30m project to close next week.

Plans for the prime highway-frontage 2.7ha site on Moores Creek Road, located beside the current Spotlight store, have been around for 20 years but appear to be finally nearing construction phase following the latest amendments to Rockhampton Regional Council which were approved in March, 2025.

Three small shops and a service station that were included in a 2023 approval will be replaced by a single 1750m² large format retail building with associated loading facilities and carparking.

Site plan for the Anaconda retail project in North Rockhampton shows the access area on Moores Creek Road.

The anchor tenant for the three-building complex is a 2500m2 Anaconda store which was reported to be all least double the size of the existing Anaconda site in Aquatic Place.

The tenants for other buildings have not been publicised.

The Spotlight Group bought the 2.7ha block on the Bruce Hwy, which includes the existing Spotlight store, in 2005 for $430,000.

In 2017, plans for an estimated $20m development, included a supermarket, petrol station, retail store and food and drink outlet on the vacant land, were approved by Rockhampton Regional Council.

Map showing the Moores Creek site for the Anaconda Retail Development.

The project had faced various delays including an appeal from Stockland Rockhampton and access issues raised by Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR).

Those access issues appear to have been resolved with TMR approval in 2023 for a left-in left-out access on Moores Creek Road and no direct access is proposed to be provided on Yaamba Road.

Site plan for the Anaconda retail project on Mores Creek Road.

The proposed carparking supply of 246 carparking spaces exceeds the minimum code recommendations of 172 carparking spaces.

The invitation for tender quotes for the project closes July 18 and lists work for almost 50 separate trades across required construction needs and skills.

Spotlight was approached for comment, but a spokeswoman said they would be in a better position to respond in about eight weeks.