TOYOTA has committed to opening a dealership in Yarrawonga within 18 months on land which has been earmarked for development for close to a decade.
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Cobram-based dealer Robin Brewer confirmed yesterday he would expand to Yarrawonga after agreeing to buy one parcel of land being developed in a joint venture by local company Judd & Sons and Melbourne-based builders Pellicano Brothers.
Two other car dealerships could soon follow after also buying land on the southern side of the Murray Valley Highway.
“My plan is to get cracking as soon as the site is available to be built on,” Mr Brewer said.
“I am committed to the project, but am at the mercy of the developer.”
He has been based at Cobram for 19 years and is the second oldest Toyota dealership still in family hands in the Goulburn Valley.
The expansion could also provide a jobs boost for Yarrawonga.
“Toyota will insist on a full dealership at the new site with all aspects of sales, service, parts, new and used cars and finance in place,” Mr Brewer said.
“We’ve got 14 (employees) in Cobram and you would think it would be a similar number in Yarrawonga.”
Co-developer Matthew Judd confirmed yesterday he had sold three lots to car dealers.
“Once we break dirt there things will really come along,” he said.
“They have all wanted to make it happen.
“Robin Brewer, for example, is in a growth mode and wants to expand.
“One of the other dealerships has to relocate.”
The Judd-Pellicano partnership bought the 12 hectares on the eastern approach to the town in early 2011.
Previous owners had plans to build a large-scale supermarket, but one was subsequently built at the southern end of Belmore Street.
Pigdon Motors moved from Belmore Street to a temporary location in Benalla Road when construction started on the Woolworths supermarket which opened early last year.
Mr Judd couldn’t confirm the identity of the two other dealerships set to establish alongside Toyota.
The 12 hectare site is zoned for uses including bulky goods, showrooms and car dealerships.