Woolworths joint venture with US hardware giant Lowe’s has been given planning approval by Victoria planning Minister Justin Madden for ten Woolworths hardware stores across Melbourne and in Ballarat.
Woolworths had originally planned for 12 big-box hardware stores across Victoria, but had one of its sites rejected by Mr Madden in September. Mr Madden has since received the advice of the Independent Advisory Committee set up to examine the Woolworths/Lowe’s joint venture, with approved planning permits issued for six of the developments and amended the relevant planning schemes to facilitate the other four proposals, approving a total of 10 locations across the state.
“In February this year I determined that the package of proposals for Woolworths would have a significant impact on the large format retail market in Victoria and appointed an Advisory Committee to consider the proposals for each site,” Mr Madden said.
“I have reviewed the recommendations of the Advisory Committee and determined that ten stores should be supported.”
Bunnings Warehouse, the big-box hardware store market leader plans to counter the Woolworths/Lowe’s Hardware joint venture by bolstering the company’s presence in NSW by investing $600 million in the state across 12 sites, including the construction of a 20,000m store at Alexandria in Sydney’s South.
Mr Madden said the Woolworths/Lowe’s Hardware stores would provide a $130 million boost to the Victorian economy, creating around 1,800 construction jobs and 1,300 full time and part-time positions once the stores opened for business.
“The introduction of Woolworths home improvement stores in Victoria will provide greater choice for consumers and create job opportunities close to where people live, which is great news for Victorian families,” Mr Madden said.
The 10 Woolworths/Lowe’s Hardware stores that have been supported are located at:
- 1550 Pascoe Vale Road, Coolaroo;
- 1041-1049 Centre Road, Oakleigh South;
- 65 Mornington-Tyabb Road, Mornington;
- 85 Chifley Drive and 1 Gower Street, Preston;
- 740-742 Toorak Road, Hawthorn East;
- 25-51 Learmonth Avenue and 7-9 Grandlee Drive, Wendouree;
- Corner of Western Highway and Westwood Drive, Burnside;
- 1464 Ferntree Gully Road, Knoxfield;
- 825 Plenty Road, South Morang; and
- 574-588 Frankston-Dandenong Road, Carrum Downs.