Kiama is to have a modern shopping centre by the end of next year, after last night's meeting of Kiama Council unanimously approved Woolworths' DA for the refurbishment of Kiama Village.

At the same meeting, Council authorised its CEO to commence negotiations to sell an easement it owns on the property, independently valued at $1.55 million, to Woolworths.

"We are ecstatic that the Council has approved our Development Application to give the community the shopping experience they deserve at Kiama Village," says Tony Pratt, Regional Development Manager of the Woolworths Group.

"The redevelopment of Kiama Village is important because it will finally provide the community with a modern shopping experience with great convenience and range.

"We are looking forward to continuing to work alongside Council, locals, tenants and our in-store team as we progress towards construction."

Two storey carpark accessed from the Thomson St roundabout, with further upgraded parking at the back

Woolworths' plan is to:

• create a larger, full-range Woolworths supermarket with easy pick-up of online orders, including direct-to-boot services
• offer new and continued specialty shops and services
• improve car parking
• improve access, with a lift and travelator
• refurbish the centre interior
• improve landscaping.

Construction work is to be carried out in three stages:

Stage 1 – retail refurbishment and 66 parking spaces to rear

Stage 2 – a two level carpark with 82 spaces at shop level + 92 spaces at basement

Stage 3 – introducing eight direct to boot loading spaces.

Terralong St pedestrian access

"With development approval now in hand, we can commence the detailed design phase. We are hoping to be on site later this year, and will keep the community updated as we progress," says Mr Pratt.

It is anticipated that works, which will take 10-12 months, will commence later this year. The supermarket will keep trading throughout that time.

As many car spaces as possible will be retained for customer use during each stage, but parking will inevitably be hard to find at times.

At this stage, Woolworths is still in discussion with Council about the potential provision of a timed car park management system. If this was proposed, it would require another DA to be lodged for approval.