Stage 1 of Jerrabomberra’s Poplars Innovation and Retail + Services Precinct is well underway, with the Aldi supermarket set to open within the next few weeks.
The business and shopping park currently features fast food chains KFC and McDonalds, as well as a 7-Eleven service station.
Black Mountain Construction Assurance director, David Parums, said the pandemic hadn’t held up the construction process, which had come a long way in a short time.
“It’s pretty amazing, it was just an empty lot in November,” he said.
“The opening for Aldi is imminent, I haven’t got a firm date but about the last weekend in June. It’s all finished; they are just stocking the fit-out and the stock.”
A wellbeing centre is also being built in the Retail + Services area, including a medical centre and a gym.
Following the completion of Stage 1, the precinct will begin construction at its innovation and learning precincts, which will include the region’s first STEM school.
Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council CEO Peter Tegart said the precinct had been a long-term plan to stimulate learning and business in the region.
“The whole park is comprised of a business and technology park,” he said.
“The most significant benefit is the jobs it will create. It has been estimated to create over 5,000 jobs, not just in the precinct but with the multiplier effect.”
Construction of Environa Drive also began during May, which allows access to the northern entry of the precinct.
The road will span approximately 1km and is due to be completed by mid-2021.
Mr Tegart said construction on the school would commence once the road is complete.
“The road infrastructure is due to be finished within the next nine months and then the school will start to go up after that; it is all happening in stages,” he said.
“We are on track; our timelines are all matching up.”
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