Costco Lake Macquarie: Construction on track for late-August as jobs become available

An opening date for Costo's $49m Lake Macquarie development – to be the first in NSW outside of Sydney – is drawing near as the retail giant starts to list its jobs on offer.

Construction at Costco’s new Lake Macquarie store is on track for a late-August opening, as the retail giant advertises a slate of job opportunities at the Boolaroo wholesale warehouse.

Costco is advertising on its website for a number of management positions including food court manager, tyre centre manager, bakery manager, meat department manager and a payroll clerk.

More junior positions are expected to be advertised closer to opening.

“The warehouse is set to create more than 225 full-time jobs once complete,” Costco Australia managing director Patrick Noone said.

The Hunter Regional Planning Panel has approved a $49m Costco development in Lake Macquarie. Picture: Supplied.

“We have opened our temporary office site at Charlestown Square, which members of the public are welcome to drop by with questions on signing up and job opportunities.

“We will also be posting job opportunities on our website over the next few months.”

The $49 million, 14,000sq m development will include a retail warehouse, tyre centre and petrol station.

It will be the first Costco in the state outside Sydney.

The project was approved by the Hunter Regional Planning Panel in December, for construction behind Bunnings Boolaroo.

Costco, which first opened in the United States in 1976, specialises in bulk buys and requires shoppers to hold a Costco membership.

The retailer has a pop-up store at Charlestown Square where shoppers can join for early online access.

Memberships are $60 for personal or $55 for business, valid for 12 months from the store’s opening.

Mr Noone said it would be a push to finish the mammoth build in time.

Construction is underway at Costco Boolaroo. Picture: Supplied.

“We’re anticipating opening doors to our members in late August, although we don’t have an exact date at this stage,” he said.

“Construction has already begun, and we will be working almost up until the open date preparing the warehouse both inside and outside.”

Construction is underway at Costco Boolaroo. Picture: Supplied.

EARLIER:

$49m Costco store approved for Lake Macquarie

By Emily Burley, December 4, 2020.

Newcastle shoppers are in for a bargain, with Costco’s first NSW store outside Sydney greenlit for Lake Macquarie.

The Hunter Regional Planning Panel has approved construction of the 14,000 square metre warehouse and a petrol station.

Costco is known for its bulk buys, but requires shoppers to be part of an exclusive membership program.

The store, to be built behind Bunnings at Boolaroo and near Stockland Glendale, is expected to create 250 jobs and open mid-next year.

The store is set to be built behind Bunnings at Boolaroo. Picture: Supplied.

“The potential of this area is incredible and it’s the next significant step in realising the countless benefits for jobs, our local economy, lifestyle and businesses”, Lake Macquarie City mayor Kay Fraser said.

“The $49 million Costco development will continue to spur significant growth in Lake Macquarie City.

“We look forward to working with other businesses that want to take advantage of the North West Lake Macquarie catalyst area’s potential as the transformation of Glendale, Cardiff, Boolaroo and surrounds into a thriving economic and employment hub continue.”

The store and petrol station are expected to create 250 jobs and open mid-next year. Picture: Supplied.

The store isn’t the only development proposed for the area.

Council is assessing housing development applications for 330 lots at nearby ‘Weemala at the Lake’ subdivision.

The developments would house 2000 residents.