DIY fans to be spoilt for choice

By Callan Date
HOME renovators and tradesmen will soon be spoilt for choice with Mitre 10 Mega store set to open their doors for trading within two months.
Hot on the heels of the new Mitre 10 branch will be the opening of a Bunnings Warehouse in Pakenham in mid2007.
The announcement follows a recent planning decision to approve land rezoning that will allow the construction of the Pakenham Home Maker Precinct on Princes Highway to begin.
Bunnings Warehouse will be the major tenant at the Home Maker Precinct, with a number of other bulk goods operations earmarked for the area.
Bunnings’ general manager of property, Matt Toohey, said once they have sorted out a few minor issues with Cardinia Council, they would begin to develop the site.
“Our build time is six months, so we will be looking to be trading six months after we begin construction on the site,” Mr Toohey said.
The Bunnings building will cover 7000 square metres and will be one of the biggest stores the group has built.
“The SouthEast is one of the fastest growing areas in Victoria and we are really looking forward to opening a store in Pakenham,” he said.
Cardinia Council governance and communications manager, Doug Evans, said the area would soon have a green light for construction to begin.
“The Minister for Planning has approved the rezoning of the area and, as a result, works will be able to commence shortly,” Mr Evans said.
He said the development would create a number of jobs for residents, during the creation of the precinct and the ongoing operation of the businesses.
“The Home Maker Precinct will be great for the people of Cardinia and great for the local economy as well,” he said.
Managing director of Mitre 10 Pakenham, Darrell Hardy, said he was excited his familyowned company would soon launch a Mega 10 outlet.
“The Mega store will be part of our existing operation on Racecourse Road and will have a large trade presence as well as catering for your everyday handyman,” Mr Hardy said.
Mr Hardy stressed the Mitre 10 Mega store would be fully run by the Hardy group and the Mitre 10 in Station Street would continue normal operations.
“We are completely revamping the present site where the trade store currently stands and the new site will include 143 carparking spaces for our customers,” Mr Hardy said.