It’s official Costco’s coming to Lake Macquarie. Costco’s DA has been approved and the Hunter Regional Planning Panel has given it the green light. I don’t know about you, but I instantly jumped on their website to find out what they sold and how it all worked. The former Pasminco’s smelter site at Cockle Creek in Boolaroo has been reserved. Not the most popular of places over the years, with highly contaminated toxic soil from over 100 years of operation at the smelter. However, Independent MP Greg Piper says its “absolutely fully remediated”.
If you’re wondering where in Boolaroo, it’s planned for the land behind the massive Bunnings Warehouse at the corner of Frith Ave and Munibung Road. Lake Macquarie council has also signed up a developer to build 500 homes in the same area. 330 DA’s are currently in progress with the council as of early December 2020, which will house around 2,000 people.
Growth for our local economy
With the development valued at 49 million, the Costco retail giant will be injecting a massive boost into our economy. It’s estimated the construction will employ around 80 workers and deliver 250 jobs once opened. The local economy is also set to benefit, with shoppers expected to travel from the Hunter Valley, greater Newcastle area, and even the Central Coast. The development of 500 homes in the area will also employ around 400 construction jobs.
The new Costco warehouse and fuel station are planning to open within 12 months so in preparation, let’s have a look at Costco’s shopping experience.
Costco Lake Macquarie jobs
Recently, Costco started advertising key roles for the new Lake Macquarie location. Keep up to date with what’s on offer here: Costco jobs for Lake Macquarie also look under Boolaroo jobs
Shopping at Costco
To shop at Costco you must first become a member. There are two membership packages, one for personal use and one for business. Currently, a personal Gold Star membership is $60 for the year. Each store has a membership counter. They will help you through the process of signing up. Once you are signed up your membership allows you to shop at any Costco worldwide.
Gold Star membership
To sign up for a Gold Star membership you just need to be aged over 18. Costco advises that Gold Star members can only make one transaction per shop. Once you’ve signed up you can request the free household card that allows your spouse, partner, or immediate family members who live at the same address as you, to shop under your membership.
Costco benefits
So, what’s the benefit? Costco prides itself on delivering its customers the best products at the best prices. They offer an extensive list of services including hearing aids, eye tests, and even tyres for your car. Costco markets itself as a one-stop-shop.
Products & brands
Offering brands such as Prada, Bose, Apple, Sony, and Superdry don’t expect to head into the warehouse to find cheap imitations. You can buy furniture, white goods, clothing, boats and kayaks, gardening tools, food, drink, and even alcohol.
Costco Hot Buys
Keep an eye out on their ‘Hot Buys’ for real savings. I price compared a set of Beat headphones and found over $100 worth of savings. If you know what you want, and you’re prepared to wait for it to show in their heavily discounted list, you can grab some amazing bargains.
To find out more about Costco in Australia and what you can shop, click here: Costco Australia. For now, we’ll just need to be patient and wait for the DA approval to go through. Then it’s full steam ahead for our economy.
References:
ABC: Costco to spark a new beginning for troubled Pasminco smelter site at Lake Macquarie {Accessed 5/8/20}
Lake Macquarie Council: Costco lodges plans for $60m retail development in Lake Macquarie {Accessed 5/8/20}
Costco Australia {Accessed 5/8/20}
Lake Macquarie Council: Costco Lake Macquarie gets Green Light {Accessed 4/12/20
