The development application for the first stage of the seaside shopping precinct, located at the end of Cove Boulevarde, covers approximately 4,500 square metres of retail space and includes a supermarket and up to 10 specialty shops.

Shellharbour Mayor Marianne Saliba said when complete, the retail precinct would include a mix of retailers, cafes and restaurants to cater to residents and the growing tourism population expected to be generated by the boat harbour and marina facilities. 

“The retail precinct is another major milestone in this fantastic new piece of regional infrastructure," Mayor Marianne Saliba said.

“Having the convenience of a range of shopping facilities in a lifestyle location will make an already beautiful part of the world even more desirable,” Cr Saliba said.

The cafe and restaurant precinct on the waters edge will be constructed as part of the second stage of the retail development and will be completed after the boat harbour is finished.

Frasers Property Australia, Shell Cove development director Glenn Colquhoun said the development application comes as construction of the boat harbour continues to progress. He said construction of the second phase was well underway, with more than 80 per cent of the excavation complete. Last year a 4.6 hectare wetlands park near the Waterfront residential development was opened to the public, incorporating watercourses, viewing decks, green open spaces, a children’s playground, pathways and cycle ways.

“Having a variety of shops handy will be one more box ticked for the mixed-use master planned community, which already has so much to offer to those lucky enough to call this idyllic seaside location home, or those lucky enough to live nearby,” Mr Colquhoun said. 

Subject to approval by the Joint Regional Planning Panel, construction of stage one of the retail precinct is expected to begin early next year with completion before Christmas 2017.