A POTENTIAL second supermarket in Kiama is being touted as the focal point of the proposed Akuna Street development, which it is believed could have an "economic accelerator" effect.
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Real estate firm Colliers International has been engaged by Kiama Council to find a supermarket retailer to anchor the council's proposed development.
Once secured, the council will call for expressions of interest to develop the car park site.
The area was identified as a key strategic site by the council in 2002.
Kiama Mayor Brian Petschler said the council identified that the supermarket would be at the heart of any development of the site.
Cr Petschler said it was about balancing the whole CBD area, with the prospect of potential long-term links into Terralong Street via a laneway or arcade/walkway helping to rejuvenate Kiama's main street.
Cr Petschler said this would act as an "economic accelerator" for Kiama.
"The town could handle a second supermarket, which would balance the CBD and provide the economic accelerator effect for businesses at the eastern end of town," he said.
"Additional shops in the complex, and the employment opportunities those shops and supermarket would provide would also be important."
The council's concept plan provides for a development which includes a supermarket of 2000 square metres, up to 14 speciality shops, about 30 units and provision to retain the existing 79 public car spaces in Akuna Street.
The development is to be linked to Terralong Street by escalators.
In 2012, the council paid $3.2 million for Weston & Co Publishing's property in Shoalhaven Street, which neighbours the car park.
This meant the council became the sole owner of a 5152-square-metre site.