Westfield Hurstville is to get a $15.3 million department store after Georges River Council approved the development application last week for alterations to the shopping centre.
There has been talk that the new development will be a David Jones outlet but the company has previously declined to comment.
The decision will be welcomed by the business community in Hurstville which has wanted another major department store to open since Myer in Westfield closed its doors in January, 2015.
The new department store will benefit the local community and retailers by attracting more people to the centre, the development application’s Statement of Environmental Effects said.
The development application by Scentre, owners and operators of Westfield in Australia and New Zealand, replaces existing the Target outlet and adjacent mini major on Westfield Hurstville’s retail level two, and provides for two additional retail shops at the Rose Street entry to the centre and a relocated and expanded centre management office on level five.
Overall, there will be an increase in retail area of some 460sqm, bringing the total floor space of the new department store to around 585sqm, or about 1.8 per cent of the total Westfield site area of 32,581sqm.
The site is located in the 3(B) City Centre Business Zone which means there will be little impact created by the proposal on neighbouring sites.
The works will result in the refinement of the design and operation of the existing shopping centre and will result in a development that is substantially enhanced by the introduction of a department store to serve the surrounding region, the SEE stated.
“The proposal will not only improve the viability of existing businesses, it will add to the economic well-being of Hurstville commercial centre as a whole.
“The new department store will enhance the retail options within the Hurstville city centre and promote a lively and active commercial centre.
“The proposal is considered to be in the public interest as it will assist in enhancing the retail, entertainment and lifestyle options within a mixed shopping and working environment in the Hurstville town centre. It will increase job opportunities in the locality both during construction and operation.”
Scentre has been approached for comment.
