Community & Business
15 March, 2023
New shopping centre goes to council
A NEW shopping complex featuring a Woolworths supermarket is expected to get the tick of approval when Mareeba Shire Council meets this Wednesday.
Sphere Group Development’s development application for a new shopping complex is being recommended for approval at the meeting.
The developers were able to move forward with the application after over-coming a major hurdle in the process and getting the green light from the Department of Transport and Main Roads which, alongside council, was a major part in getting the project across the line.
Sphere Group Development lodged the development application in March 2022 and now a year on, the project is going through its final stages before the first sod can be turned.
Director Greg Ritchie said they have listened to Mareeba locals’ need and were excited about building the new shopping complex.
“Mareeba locals have been crying out for an alternative place to shop for years,” he said.
“We are happy to be able to deliver this new complex.”
Woolworths will take up the largest retail space of the centre with a 3500sqm store, with the other spaces set to be taken up by other specialty stores.
The developers have previously shown interest in having stores such as bakeries, pharmacists and others occupy the spaces.
The project will create 120 direct and indirect jobs during the construction of the complex with 180 jobs available after it becomes operational.
The developers were unable to give a direct timeline as to when the centre will be operational but previous indications expected the centre to be completed 12-18 months from the start of construction.
