Bunnings Warehouse addresses Marion closure rumours as it moves ahead with Bedford Park outlet

Bunnings has moved to address the option of closing its Marion store, as it pushes ahead with a third outlet near two others.

Bunnings Warehouse says it has no confirmed plans to any changes at its Marion store, as it pushes ahead with a new outlet about 3km up the road.

Bunnings Properties is seeking to rezone land at Bedford Park, on the corner of Marion Rd and the Southern Expressway, for a $15.7m, 15,000 sqm outlet.

It would create three Bunnings all about 6km or less from each other, with the Edwardstown store about 5km up South Rd – which itself about 6km from the Marion outlet.

Public planning documents canvass the option of closing Marion, showing a new Bedford Park outlet would bring in about $50m a year if it was shut.

The Marion Bunnings would lose about $10m a year if it stayed open.

But The Advertiser has been told there are no confirmed changes to the Marion store, which is in the Westfield shopping centre.

The overall masterplan for the Bunnings Warehouse at Bedford Park. Supplied

A fast food restaurant and servo, which plans show are also proposed for the Bedford Park site, are not part of Bunnings’ rezoning bid.

The land (outlined in yellow) that would need to be rezoned under a plan for a new Bunnings at Bedford Park, alongside the Southern Expressway. Supplied

But the land, besides the Warriparinga wetlands, needs to be rezoned from urban neighbourhood to retail to allow a bulky goods store, a decision made by Planning Minister Nick Champion.

“We’re always looking at opportunities to improve our existing store network and recently submitted a code amendment application for a site in Bedford Park,” Bunnings director of property Garry James said.

“We look forward to working with the relevant authorities and local community stakeholders throughout this process.”

Construction on an Elders Village aged-care home near the Bedford Park site has started.

The plans warn nearby land has profound cultural significance for the Kaurna people, with a listed heritage site adjacent to the Sturt River, and a high risk of encountering cultural materials during construction.

Bunnings said it had been consulting with key stakeholders to address this and will continue to work through.

Bunnings recently offered six sites – none in SA – for off-market sale in a bid to recoup about $300m.

The Bunnings Warehouses in the portfolio for sale include Alexandria, Mittagong and Goulburn, all in NSW, and Airlie Beach and Oxenford, both in Queensland, as well as a property in the Melbourne suburb of Thomastown.

Public community consultations are on the new Bedford Park store are being held at the Living Kaurna Cultural Centre, Warriparinga Way (off Sturt Rd), Bedford Park on Wednesday, July 30 (4-7pm) and Saturday, August 2 (10am-2pm).

Originally published as Bunnings Warehouse addresses Marion closure rumours as it moves ahead with Bedford Park outlet