Nowra Bunnings: Resident says new megastore could threaten small businesses
While many people are happy a new south coast megastore is set to double in size and span an incredible 17,000sqm, some say it could ‘cripple’ some small family businesses.
The South Coast News
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While the scheduled opening of a new Bunnings Warehouse in Nowra has many residents excited, some feel megastores threaten the future of small, family-run businesses on the south coast.
The almost $30 million new Bunnings Warehouse in Nowra, spans 17,000 square metres, and is expected to open early next month, complex manager Richard Jenkins said.
“The team have been working really hard to get the store ready and we’re really looking forward to welcoming the local community through the doors when we open,” Mr Jenkins said.
After the former building along the highway at South Nowra was demolished late last year, new designs for the megastore were two and a half times bigger, and the number of parking spaces nearly doubled to just under 500.
While much of the commentary on social media is positive, Nowra resident and Kangaroo Valley dairy farmer John Crittenden said some comments on closed Facebook groups show residents are “concerned” smaller businesses in direct competition could be “under threat” given the current economic recession.
The keen gardener said while he will attend the opening of the store next month, the development of megastores would “cripple many businesses”.
“I don’t mind going to Bunnings, but they sell everything. You’ll be able to buy undies there soon,” he said. “It will massively affect family businesses, but that’s how people think, they want convenience.
“Family businesses can’t afford to upscale and put in carparks. It’s quite scary.”
Mr Crittenden said in the 15 years he has lived in town, many of the small businesses he has supported have shut their doors, and small, family run local businesses need more support from residents if they are going to survive the recession.
“All these small stores are closing down, and there are people with the same attitude as me,” he said.
“I agree megastores are big employers and do retrain people, which is a good thing.”
Shoalhaven City Council said South Nowra is one of the largest available industrial estates south of Sydney, and the council is committed to local jobs.
Nowra is expected to double its population to over 60,000 by 2030, they said.
“A wide range of industries operate in the Shoalhaven with many international businesses operating from Nowra,” they said.
“Value adding manufacturing is strong, with food, chemicals, construction products, marine craft and other manufactured componentry.”