‘Long time in the making’: Chisholm Plaza gets the green light
The $29.7 million development application for ’Chisholm Plaza’ includes a shopping centre with supermarket and specialty shops, medical centre and food and drink premises.
Newcastle
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For years Chisholm has been considered an extension of Thornton North, now a new multi-million dollar shopping precinct will put the suburb on the map.
The $29.7 million development application for ’Chisholm Plaza’ at Heritage Dr. includes a shopping centre with supermarket and specialty shops, medical centre and food and drink premises.
The first stage of the development was given the green light at Maitland City Council meeting this week, supported unanimously.
During an exhibition process six letters of support were received for the development, with no objections.
The development plans submitted with the application detailed three ‘future development’ sites, with the applicant, County Property group pty ltd, advising that future stages of the Neighbourhood Centre would be undertaken according to market demands.
A study done in the application process noted the co-location of schools, community facilities, recreation space and the provision of an adequate network of roads and shared paths to create a focal point for the community.
The motion to approve the development was moved by Cr. Mitchell Griffin, who said it’s been a long time coming, with the original application lodged in July 2018.
“This will establish independence for Chisholm,” Cr. Griffin said.
“In addition to being a new shopping precinct, this new development will assist existing traffic issues experienced in along Taylors Ave in Thornton with cars from both suburbs utilising travelling to the Thornton Shopping Centre.
“This development has the potential to remove some of the heavy traffic utilising Raymond Terrace Road by creating an option for Chisholm residents to access the shopping facilities without having to leave their own suburb.
“Some residents purchased land 10 years ago on the pretence that a shopping precinct would be developed. Hopefully now that this has cleared council, the developer can get cracking on this site.”
Stage one of the development is estimated to create 88 jobs during construction and the potential to support approximately 272 direct jobs and 56 indirect jobs once operating.