Frenchs Forest: $48m Bunnings Warehouse centre could create more than 800 jobs
A plan submitted to Northern Beaches Council proposes a $48m five-level Bunnings Warehouse at Frenchs Forest which would boost local employment and contribute in building a town centre. What do you think?
Manly
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Artist impressions have provided a first look into a $48m Bunnings Warehouse proposed for Frenchs Forest which is being touted as a boost the local economy by providing 835 new jobs.
According to reports on the council’s website which were submitted by Bunnings Group, the development would generate 700 new jobs during the construction process, while 135 full time and part times employees are forecasted to be hired once the new building is complete.
If the project gets the tick of approval by Northern Beaches Council, it would make the centre the first three-storey building for the company in NSW which would be located on a 21,750 sum of land at 357 to 373 Warringah Rd.
The proposal was just submitted to the council on Monday and involves demolition of existing buildings, vegetation works, excavation and the construction of a five level hardware and building supplies centre.
Parking will be provided over three levels with construction of a basement carpark, ground floor parking and mezzanine level parking for staff which would provide a total of 397 parking spaces.
Planning documents reveal the first floor is set to feature the main warehouse, while a cafe, a playground and an outdoor nursery would operate on the second level, taking “advantage of the pleasant green outlook and semi-outdoor settings”.
The plant nursery sale area and outdoor shades have been designed to “integrate the building” into a “business parkland setting”.
The plans also require the removal of 79 trees, although most of the vegetation on the northern will be preserved as part of the Duffy Forest Ecological Community.
Other works involve widening the road to provide a slip lane from Allambie Road.
The new centre has also been tied into the council’s vision to create a community centre in the suburb.
Documents submitted on behalf of Bunnings note: “Northern Beaches Council have identified opportunities to leverage from this investment with a new vibrant town centre and a variety of new housing and employment opportunities along with further public infrastructure identified for Frenches Forest.”
“A dynamic mix of employment, recreation, retail and housing uses are anticipated for the future of Frenches Forest.”
The centre would operate from 6am to 10pm from Monday to Friday and 6am to 7pm
on weekends and public holidays.
The site is currently made up of an Australia Post warehouse brick building and a two-storey office building occupied by Info media.
Bunnings Regional Operations Manager Alan Harvey confirmed plans.
“We’ve lodged a development application for a new multi-level Bunnings Warehouse in Frenchs Forest which would be located at the corner of Warringah Road and Allambie Road,” Mr Harvey said.
“If approved, the proposed warehouse will be the first Bunnings store in NSW to have three levels of retail and the store would span over 20,000 square metres, with on-site parking for almost 400 cars.
“We look forward to working with Northern Beaches Council throughout the development application process to bring a Bunnings Warehouse to the Frenchs Forest community.”