Developers await consent for Waipu centre

Bruce and Coralie Roberts.

Up to 50 jobs, 169 extra carparks and a new supermarket will be created in Waipu if a new shopping centre in the town gets the go-ahead.

The developers of the Nova Scotia Drive complex - a local couple who have lived in the area for most of their lives - say the 5000sq m complex has "huge support from fellow residents".

Bruce and Coralie Roberts said they were waiting on the outcome of a publicly notified resource consent through Whangarei District Council, which had been in the planning stage of their new venture for the last 18 months.

The Roberts own the town's Hammer Hardware store and will be looking to relocate this from its current site at The Centre.

This will sit alongside a number of speciality shops with first-floor offices above storage units and a supermarket, the chain of which is yet to be confirmed.

"Parking in Waipu is a huge issue," Mrs Roberts said.

"We have so many trucks bringing deliveries and it's a health and safety issue. It will be great for Waipu to get all that heavy traffic out the way."

Most Waipu residents grocery-shopped at Ruakaka or travelled to Whangarei, so the supermarket was another benefit, Mrs Roberts said.

She said last year she turned away "about two dozen really good people" seeking work. She estimated the complex would create at least 50 jobs.

"I'm just thinking in our business alone, we are looking at doubling the size ... And eventually we'll be four times the size, because we're doing it as a staged development."

Whangarei District Council has recently signed off a 72-lot subdivision, also on Nova Scotia Drive.

Mrs Roberts said she was initially disappointed that her development needed a publicly notified resource consent.

"There's so many people moving into our community ... Council should be really encouraging people to build developments and provide housing and jobs for people. "

Submissions can be made at wdc.govt.nz/YourCouncil/PublicConsultations.