US wholesaler Costco has applied for fast-track approval to build a 16,000-square-metre retail development in Christchurch.
Details of the proposed development have now been shared on the Government's fast-track website, shedding light on what people in the Garden City could see if it is approved.
The development would have an approximate 16,090-square-metre floor area and feature a warehouse retail store, an adjoining tyre centre, and a food court and retail area.
The development would be on land between Memorial Ave and Avonhead Rd, near the airport.
A fuel facility would also be set up, with an associated data hut, signage, and vehicle manoeuvring areas to service both cars and trucks.
Approximately 7900 square metres of "complementary large-format retail" activities would also be part of the development.
New and modified road connections and vehicle access points would also be built to support the development, including removing and replacing street trees.
Several "required upgrades" would be needed for roading infrastructure, as well as earthworks.
The new store would need resource consents, and changes to or cancellation of existing resource consent conditions under the RMA. It would also need approval under the Wildlife Act.
In a statement to 1News, Government minister Tama Potaka confirmed a referral application for the proposed Costco – a request to consider if a project should enter the fast-track approvals process – was lodged on August 31 and was approved yesterday.
“Costco is now able to submit a substantive application," Potaka said. "The substantive application stage requires the applicant to provide additional information on the project.
"Any substantive application would first undergo a completeness check by officials before an independent expert panel is appointed to assess the project."
He said 16 groups had been invited to give feedback on the referral application, including Canterbury Regional Council, Christchurch City Council, the Grocery Commissioner and Whitiora Centre Limited.
“The Fast-track process provides opportunities for feedback from specified parties at several stages, including before a referral application is lodged, during the Minister’s consideration of the application, and during assessment by an independent expert panel if the project is referred.”
In his reasons for accepting the application, Potaka said the development would have "significant regional or national benefits".
He said Costco would bring in around $63 million in GDP and approximately 350 full-time equivalent jobs during construction, with ongoing benefits during operation of $57 million in GDP per year and approximately 486 full-time jobs.
He said the fast-track approvals process would let the project proceed faster and more cost-effectively, and align with the Government's policy statement on grocery competition.
"The Minister is satisfied there is no reason they must decline the project."
When asked for a statement on the project yesterday, Costco declined to comment.
Costco opened the country's first store in Auckland's Westgate in 2022. A second store is planned for Drury, south of Auckland.
Yesterday, Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger said a Costco would be "greatly received" by the city, calling the potential development "another cog in the wheel of what makes Christchurch as good as it is".
"It's all work for everyone who's stacking shelves, trucks, carting the stuff here," he said. "It'll be good."
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