LOCAL BOOST: An artist's impression of how the first stage of the Lake Munmorah shopping centre would look.
WORK could finally begin soon on Lake Munmorah's long awaited shopping centre.
Wyong Shire Council has been working with Woolworths to close the gap between the concept on paper and actually turning the first sod to build the centre.
Last September, the Hunter and Central Coast Joint Regional Planning Panel approved the development, to be constructed at the corner of the Pacific Highway and Tall Timbers Road.
The project is a boost that is expected to create emplyment for about 250 people plus a further 80 jobs during its 12-month construction.
A council spokesperson said council had been working with Woolworths for a number of years to ensure the centre could be built to service the shire's north.
Council had continued to meet with the supermarket giant since the development approval to ensure construction could get under way.
"This week, council proposed to issue a Construction Certificate to allow Woolworths to start works within Tall Timbers Road, meaning the development can finally get under way on land over which council has control," the spokesperson said.
However, Woolworths are still seeking approval from Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) for works to be undertaken within the Pacific Highway road reserve.
The new centre would include a supermarket, medical centre, specialty shops, parking, landscaping and a service station.
A Woolworths spokesperson said the new centre was expected to open about 12 months after works started.
The first stage would contain 5000 square metres of retail floor space including the supermarket, retail shops, medical centre and service station.
The second stage would include an additional 5000 square metres of retail space.