Costco has $50m Kwinana store in its sights

The City of Kwinana could become home to one of two Costco stores planned for Perth, after the Western Australian Planning Commission approved changes to planning guidelines to facilitate its development.

The WAPC approved a new structure plan for a site on the corner of Thomas Road and the Kwinana Freeway, to allow for retail development.

Costco is expected to lodge a development application for a $50 million retail warehouse in coming weeks.

“In line with council’s strategic commitment to create jobs, city officers have worked closely with the proponent for some time to progress the project to position where it can be considered by the development assessment panel,” City of Kwinana mayor Carol Adams said.

“As a massive employment generator, the Costco store has the ability to help to address employment issues in the region.

“Kwinana is the second-fastest growing local government in the Perth region and investment decisions such as these show great confidence of the future of the region.”

Costco managing director Patrick Noone said the company would bring a range of benefits to Kwinana.

“We have been looking for a suitable site in the south of Perth for the past six years and this site really ticks all the boxes with regards to access to surrounding road network and residential growth areas,” he said.

“Once we receive our planning approvals, we will be investing in a $50 million retail warehouse.

“We will seek to actively engage with locally based suppliers, recruit over 250 staff from the local area and bring great value in relation to a wide range of products and services.”

The store will be the second Costco for WA, with the first store at Perth Airport currently under construction and due to open in May 2020.

The Costco warehouse at Perth Airport will be 14,000 square metres, three times the size of a normal supermarket, and will include an optical centre, hearing aid centre, tyre centre, and a petrol station.

The store is expected to cost $55 million.