A $25.8 million commercial development proposal for a new Harvey Norman store in Taylors Beach has been greeted with positive feedback from Port councillors and business chamber.
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A development application (DA) was lodged by Harvey Norman to Port Stephens Council on December 20, proposing a commercial premises including retail stores, service station, food and drink premises plus 22-lot torrens title subdivision with internal roads and car parking.
Harvey Norman would not comment further on the DA due to the fact that the furniture and electrical goods chain owned by billionaire Gerry Harvey is yet to purchase the land, located at 60 Port Stephens Drive adjoining Shearwater industrial estate. If approved, the current Salamander Bay store is expected to shut its doors.
When contacted the Port's councillors were lining up to give the proposal the thumbs up, however there were some concerns over traffic and environmental management issues.
Mayor Ryan Palmer said it was extremely positive to see more investment coming into Port Stephens and "to also see the confidence in the commercial area at Taylors Beach", while east ward's John Nell described it as "wonderful" news and a great boost for the Port economy.
Fellow east ward councillor Glen Dunkley said the investment was great for business confidence in Port Stephens. "My hope is that once approved the developer gets cracking and builds it." He saw the large scale commercial precinct developing at Taylors Beach as a great thing for Port Stephens.
"There are a number of Port-owned businesses there now that engage in best world practice and employ large numbers of locals including Hover UAV, The Glove Company and Port Stephens Packaging. Hopefully this development will provide the launch pad for more businesses for Port Stephens and will no doubt create more exciting jobs."
Cr Sarah Smith said she was happy to support any relevant development in that area. "[This is a] great opportunity for jobs and activation in the industrial part of town. New residents to the area need somewhere like this to shop instead of going to Newcastle."
Cr Chris Doohan said it was difficult for him to find anything negative about it, provided that traffic management and environmental concerns would be addressed.
"Jobs, Jobs, Jobs. Construction of the building and then the ongoing jobs for Harvey Norman staff, cleaners, delivery drivers, etc. And with other similar type industries (Bunnings, BCF, Supercheap, etc.) this will be a great enhancement to the area, and certainly prevents a long drive to Bennett's Green or Rutherford," Cr Doohan said.
Cr Steve Tucker said that a new Harvey Norman store would "certainly save a lot of travel for people in the bay. I guess they have done their sums and see a market ... could be due to the influx of over 55s who love appliances and entertainment systems, etc."
Tomaree Business Chamber business development manager Peter Clough said that the proposal had the potential to transform Taylors Beach into a homemakers-style centre, similar to those at Rutherford and Kotara.
"The business chamber is all about economic development and I think this could address the problem of economic leakage ... by allowing shoppers on the Tomaree peninsula to shop local for their bulky goods. It would also bring in more retail jobs which aligns with the arrival of the new TAFE centre on the Tomaree peninsula."
A Port Stephens Council spokesperson said that the site had a split zoning with the majority of the site zoned B5 business development, where the entire proposed development was being proposed.
"Council is the determining authority as the cost of work is below the $30m threshold for referring the application to the Hunter Regional Planning Panel."
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