Eurobodalla Council approves North Batemans Bay shopping centre

A vacant lot on the NSW south coast, previously floated to become a car dealership and fast food outlet, is set to be transformed into a shopping complex as council officially approve its construction.

Artist impression of the approved North Batemans Bay shopping centre. Picture: Supplied

The fate of a $23m retail precinct pinned for a large vacant block in a NSW south coast town has been decided, with the multimillion-dollar shopping centre given the tick of approval.

Eurobodalla Council have approved the $23,500,400 North Batemans Bay Retail outlet at the vacant lot opposite the Kings Hwy roundabout and Ampol Petrol Station after it was proposed by development firm Bokor in June 2024.

While this is the first time the development has been approved, it is not the first time it has been proposed, with variations of the proposed put to council in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Previous plans included multiple fast food outlets, however these were removed.

Documents also reveal the land was originally approved to become a car dealership and showroom in the late 1990s, before the project was abandoned.

The North Batemans Bay site was previously used by Transport NSW during the Batemans Bay Bridge project. Picture: Tom McGann

Most recently, the block was used by Transport NSW during the construction of the new Batemans Bay Bridge, before the site was cleaned and returned to its vacant state.

Now, the approved development will see two large ‘speciality’ retailers, with two warehouse style stores being constructed under one roof.

The approved shopping centre will house two large specialty retailers. Picture: Supplied

The larger store – known in plans as Tenancy A – would be 3416sq m, with an extra 1000sq m for storage space, while Tenancy B would sit at 2695sq m, with an extra 560sq m of storage.

Plans also reveal the shopping centre will include a total of 154 parking spaces, including underground spaces and outside parking.

More than 30 bicycle spaces and two trolley bays have also been included in the plans.

Signage with the speciality store logos is also proposed to be installed next to the highway and mall as part of the construction.

The shopping centre will be built opposite the Kings Hwy roundabout in North Batemans Bay. Picture: Supplied

A spokesman for Bokor – who have a history of constructing speciality stores around Australia – wrote in a statement about the need for the vacant block in North Batemans Bay to be constructed into such a development.

The Bokor spokesman said the location was perfect due to its proximity to the Batemans Bay CBD, the size of the lot and the distance from houses.

Construction is set to commence later this year.

Got a news tip? Email [e-mail]

Originally published as Eurobodalla Council approves North Batemans Bay shopping centre