WYEE Shopping Village owner Richard Owens said the state government’s $36 million investment in expanding Wyee’s sewerage network would prove the catalyst for significant growth in the town.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
And Mr Owens is putting his money where his mouth is, announcing plans to expand his shopping centre.
He has bought six properties on Wyee Road which will accommodate his growth plans. It means Wyee Shopping Village will eventually straddle both sides of Wyee Road’s intersection with Jilliby Street.
“We’re looking at having the rezoning done in the near future,” Mr Owens said.
“We’ll more than double the size of the supermarket, medical centre and pharmacy, and we’ll add some more neighbourhood shops.”
Mr Owens spoke to the Lakes Mail on Friday at a media conference at the site with Minister for Energy and Utilities, Don Harwin, and Lake Macquarie MP Greg Piper.
Mr Harwin was there to announce funding for the expansion of the Wyee sewer connection project.
The scheme originally included sewer connections for 400 homes and businesses with the capacity to cater for 1000 new properties in the future.
Following community feedback and updated growth forecasts, the scheme will now be expanded to accommodate an additional 2750 homes in future residential subdivisions.
The new scheme represents a $36 million investment by the state government, up from the original investment of $26 million.
Mr Piper said he was pleased the project would now accommodate future growth at Wyee.
“While this will bring enormous benefits to the existing residents and businesses at Wyee, I also believe it will kick start a new era for the town with new residential and business investment,” Mr Piper said.
“We’re already seeing that, with Wyee Nursery expanding its operations and the small shopping village also slated for expansion.
“The residents have waited a long time for these changes and I have no doubt they are eager to see the works completed.”
Mr Harwin said the state government recognised the growth potential of Wyee.
“We have long acknowledged Wyee has great potential and we’re committed to helping it meet that potential by investing in the expansion of this scheme,” he said.
“Expanding the scheme now makes economic sense, ensuring the right infrastructure is delivered to provide capacity for new homes in western Lake Macquarie.
“I’m pleased to report that Hunter Water has made significant progress in the design and environmental assessments for this new sewer system, with construction work expected to start by mid-2019.”
The sewerage system is expected to be ready for connection to homes by the end of 2020.
