Neither of the country’s two big supermarket chains — Foodstuffs and Progressive — gave any hint this week they have plans for expansion in Wanaka.
At least one supermarket has always been considered a sure thing for the commercial part of the Three Parks subdivision on the eastern outskirts of Wanaka.
While developer Allan Dippie confirmed to the Otago Daily Times this week the Dippie family would begin building a Mitre 10 Mega store there next year, he would not discuss what other companies were planning to do.
Foodstuffs, which operates New World and Pak’n Save, made an announcement this week, but it did not include any reference to Wanaka.
Over the next year, it will spend $200million building seven new supermarkets and refurbishing others. Three of the new supermarkets will be in the South Island — two in Christchurch and one in Queenstown.
Foodstuffs South Island general manager, property and retail development, Roger Davidson pointed out to the ODT the supermarkets listed were just those projects to which capital was committed.
But, he said, there were ‘‘a lot of projects that take some time to come to fruition’’.‘
"Queenstown Pak’n Save has been mooted and worked on for probably 10 to 12 years.
"Now it is actually happening, ... as opposed to possible proposed developments that are mentioned then forgotten about and then mentioned again."
Mr Dippie said the priority at Three Parks was to connect Sir Tim Wallis Dr to State Highway 84, near Mt Iron — initially with a T intersection but ultimately with a roundabout.
"We’re just flat out at the moment trying to get that road right through and services under it."
He expected the final "hook-up" to be completed early next year.
Buildings completed at Three Parks so far are the Queenstown Lakes District Council’s new Wanaka Recreation Centre and a McKeown service station.
Work on a new equipment hire business and the new council-owned swimming pool is under way.
Mr Dippie expected development at Three Parks to continue steadily for the next 10 years.
