Bunnings is up for a massive expansion in the Northern Beaches following the approval of a new outlet in Frenchs Forest, which will feature a five-storey hardware store with its own children’s playground.
NSW Planning signed off on the warehouse that will occupy 20,000 square metres of space on the corner of Allambie and Warringah Road.
This will be the first multi-level Bunnings with a playground, as well as a garden centre and a cafe. However, only the third to fifth levels will hold the building supplies, hardware items and some homeware pieces as the first two levels will be set as a parking area for 400 cars.
To make way for this complex, the existing buildings on-site, such as the Australian Post distribution centre and a two-storey office facility, will have to be demolished.
Northern Beaches Council originally didn’t agree to have a giant Bunnings outlet on the lot concerned because of the vehicle access on such a busy intersection. However, Bunnings reached an agreement with the Council to move the store’s main driveway to Rodborough Road. Traffic lights will also be installed in the area when the store is near completion.
Bunnings also agreed to limit the use of green colour scheme in its facade, per the Council’s request. The sizes of the logo and signages will be reduced to 33 percent so as not to distract the drivers.
The store could bring in over 800 jobs during the construction phase and may have about 135 full-time and part-time staff once trading begins.
Bunnings Frenchs Forest has yet to determine an opening date.