Shoppers in Kiama can expect a major upgrade of the Kiama Village Shopping Centre following its acquisition by Woolworths last week.
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Woolworths regional development manager Tony Pratt said the national supermarket chain plans to invest $10 million in improving the shopping centre and will be seeking input from the community.
Woolworths announced the acquisition of the seaside town's major shopping centre on Friday and Mr Pratt said residents will be in a for a revitalised shopping experience with more parking.
He said the plan is to renew and improve the shopping centre for customers, retailers and the local community who will be invited to contribute to the development process by expressing what it would like to see.
Woolworths is proposing to submit a development application to Kiama Municipal Council within the next few months and community consultation will include phone and email communication to residents, letterbox drops and local community information sessions.
"We will be seeking ideas and local insights from Kiama residents over several weeks, with community consultation starting later this month," Mr Pratt said.
"We will use the feedback to help shape our DA submission, which we intend to lodge with Kiama Council later this year."
Mr Pratt said the redevelopment will inject more than $10 million into Kiama and create 80 new jobs during construction.
Plans and artists impressions won't be created until the development application and community consultation takes place but Mr Pratt said the new look shopping centre will include a full-line modern Woolworths supermarket and online drive through, pick up facility, additional car parking and a new and improved specialty retail offer.
Woolworths has operated its existing supermarket in Kiama for 37 years and Mr Pratt said the company wanted to take this opportunity to deliver a brand new modern supermarket as well as a vibrant neighbourhood shopping destination that aligns to the character of the local community.
"We appreciate there will be strong community interest in our proposal, which we are encouraging," he said.
"While it's early in the planning process, we're keen to hear directly from the people of Kiama to help inform our future plans for the project. We want to work with our customers, retailers and the community to deliver a contemporary shopping centre that the people of Kiama can be proud of.
"We are confident we can deliver a high-quality development, with a full-line modern supermarket that meets the unique needs of the Kiama community now and well into the future. We look forward to engaging with the local community on our plans, ahead of lodging a development application."
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
