WOOLWORTHS will build the $20 million supermarket and shopping centre at White Box Rise.
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Yesterday the original proponents for the site, Border investors represented by Albury’s WHK Property Services, announced the sale to the national supermarket chain.
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As many as 200 people are expected to be employed at the supermarket and accompanying shops.
It will be the first branded Woolworths in Wodonga, the retail giant represented by Safeway stores in Wodonga Centro and High Street.
It follows the national chain’s $5 million investment in a supermarket at the recently opened Thurgoona Plaza.
Yesterday Woolworths community relations manager Simon Berger said it hoped to open the White Box Rise shop by Christmas next year.
“The plan is to build a convenient neighbourhood shopping centre, including a full-range supermarket,” he said.
“The configuration is still being developed but in addition to the supermarket there will be about 18 specialty shops.
“Our research shows that there is a demand in a residential estate that is enjoying unprecedented growth and part of a general growth corridor for the city.
“It will be a modern supermarket that makes energy savings and returns a lower carbon footprint than our older stores.”
Yesterday’s sale brings to an end three months of speculation with earthworks contractors having stopped work on the site at the corner of Victoria Cross Parade and Payne Street in April.
A year ago WHK announced plans for a $20 million White
Box Rise plaza, including a 3200-square metre supermarket, about the same size as Coles Birallee and bigger than Thurgoona’s new Woolworths.
WHK principal Gary West confirmed the sale was completed yesterday.
“After lengthy negotiations, the owner syndicate of the White Box Rise Shopping Centre has decided to sell the commercial land to Woolworths,” he said.
“It was significant that local investors had supported the initial concept for the White Box Rise development and that Woolworths has confidence in finalising the development.”
“The wider community will benefit through the development of new businesses and the creation of new jobs.”
