DEMAND has driven the planned $20 million expansion of the Bli Bli shopping centre.
In doing so it will revitalise the town centre.
The three-level retail and commercial precinct in the heart of Bli Bli is set to start construction following strong interest from a number of major tenants including those in the health and well-being sector.
The Bli Bli Village Centre will be developed by Michael and Roz White, the owners and operators of the national award-winning Bli Bli Supa IGA and River Markets Shopping Centre.
At more than 8000sq m the development will be more than double the size of the existing River Markets.
On the corner of Bli Bli Rd and David Low Way, it will be carried out in three stages.
A tavern with accommodation units and ancillary bottle shop is expected to be part of the final stage.
Mr White said the project would continue to create a thriving new centre providing much needed essential services for the local Bli Bli community.
“The growth of Bli Bli has been phenomenal over the past few years, in the past 12 months alone there were nearly 250 sales at the Parklakes 2 and Cutter’s Ridge residential developments and those numbers don’t include the hugely popular Halcyon Landing Over 50s retirement resort,” he said.
“Bli Bli is growing and the need to provide essential community services is vital so we can continue to create jobs for locals as well as attract new residents to the community.
“We recognised this a few years ago and commenced with the redevelopment of the IGA into a major supermarket and then we created the brand new River Markets which has proven to be hugely popular with locals and visitors alike.
“The third phase is the new Bli Bli Village Centre which will be home to a number of health and wellbeing practices as well as more retail shops and a tavern.
“With all our approvals now in place with Sunshine Coast Council, we expect construction to commence in the coming months with the project completed in a two staged process,” Mr White said.
Roz White said that in keeping with their philosophy of supporting locals, she anticipated that up to 80 locals would be employed on the site during construction.
“The vast majority of consultants and contractors are also locals, Covey and Associates, Sprout Architects, Project Urban, Road Pro, Element Design, Love and Partners and Kruger Law.
“It’s great that we can support so many local businesses and their families,” she said.
Mr White said about 50% of the project was already committed with a vast majority to health and wellbeing businesses while a number of prime opportunities to lease space were still available.
“We hope to announce the names of the new tenants soon, contracts are currently being finalised and I am certain they will all be a welcome addition to the Bli Bli community.
“Interested parties will need to act quickly to avoid disappointment once we announce the initial tranche of tenants.
“Parking won’t be an issue either as we’ll also have 275 basement-level car parks as well as adequate off-street parking which is always a major attraction for tenants and customers alike,” Mr White said.
Sunshine Coast Council chief executive officer Michael Whittaker said the complex would revitalise the town centre.
“Residents in Bli Bli and surrounding areas can look forward to a livelier village centre, with health care services, diverse retail opportunities, and recreational facilities in the new complex,” Mr Whittaker said.
Stage one, in the centre of the site, will be the construction of the health and wellbeing centre that consists of 584sq m gross floor area (GFA) of office, 382sq m GFA of health care services, 277sq m GFA of indoor sport and recreation (a gym) and 636sq m GFA of retail.
Stage two on the western side of the site will feature 968sq m GFA of office, 1001sq m GFA health care services and 725sq m GFA of retail.
Stage Three will occur on the western side of the site, and will constitute the Bli Bli Tavern, 20 accommodation units with ancillary bottle shop.
Sunshine Coast Daily 26 March, 2016
Inquiries to be directed to Ed Hackenberg – Ray White Bli Bli 07 5450 8111
A concept image of the Bli Bli Village Centre
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