Development application for 3000 sqm expansion of Cairns’ Bunnings store submitted to council

Up to 130 new jobs could follow potential approval of a $31m Bunnings expansion.

Up to 130 jobs could be created if a proposed expansion to Portsmith’s Bunnings Warehouse store is approved. Picture: Aaron Curran

Up to 130 new jobs could follow the potential approval of plans to expand Cairns’ Bunnings store, according to a DA recently submitted to Cairns Regional Council.

The proposal to expand the existing Portsmith Bunnings store to an adjacent landholding at 85 Kenny St would include an additional 2000 sqm bulk trade area and 1000 sqm staging area, revealing the hardware giant’s confidence in the Far North trades market.

According to the DA, a completed expansion would represent an overall investment of $31m.

“Upon completion of the proposed development, approximately 50 additional jobs will be created in the expanded store,” the report stated.

The proposed expansion would include a new 2000 sqm bulk trade area. Picture: Cairns Regional Council website

“The store will also generate employment and supply opportunities for local people and businesses during the construction phase of the project. Significantly, the construction phase of the project will generate approximately 80 construction jobs.

“In addition to promoting local employment opportunities, the applicant is committed to participating in and contributing to the communities in which they operate.”

Patrick Siegel, co-director of NQ Building and Construction in Edmonton, said the increased supply of bulk materials the Bunnings’ expansion could bring would be beneficial for the city’s construction sector.

The Kenny St entrance would be “reconfigured” if the development is approved, but no additional entries from the local road network will be built. Picture: Brendan Radke

“It’s good to get more competition in town. We need more bulk supply for trades. Supply has been an issue,” Mr Siegel said.

“Hopefully this brings a better range to choose from.”

Mr Siegel said customer service at other stores could be better, so he hoped Bunnings’ standard of customer service would be high at the expanded store.

Wesfarmers have lodged a development application with the Cairns Regional Council to extend the Bunnings Cairns Central warehouse into an adjoining property on Kenny Street. Picture: Brendan Radke

“At the moment some stores have poor service. But you just have to take it. It’s no good.”

For customers hoping the expansion would bring further ease in finding car spaces on those hot, busy weekends, the proposed development offers little relief – the expansion would add just three new car spaces, bringing the total onsite to 373.

Changes in access from the local road network would also go unnoticed to most – the existing access from Kenny St would be reconfigured, but access would otherwise remain as is.

“The proposal involves the expansion of the existing Bunnings Warehouse Store, to facilitate an increase in the range of goods sold and to improve the operational efficiency of the existing facility,” the report states.

“Based on traffic impact assessment, (planners) do not anticipate any adverse impacts to result from the proposed expansion and, therefore, no mitigation works or upgrades are required.”

Originally published as Development application for 3000 sqm expansion of Cairns’ Bunnings store submitted to council