Lewis Land Group is pleased to confirm a Port Macquarie commercial building company has won the contract to construct the first stage of Sovereign Hills’ $100 million town centre development.

Following a competitive evaluation process, Commercial Project Group (CPG) was awarded the tender ahead of established national contractors.

Stage 1 will create employment for up to 200 contractors and tradespeople. LLG’s Head of Development Michael Long was excited to announce a local contractor with a strong local supplier base.

“CPG was very competitive on price, they have relevant experience in the commercial/retail sector on the Mid North Coast, and CPG Director Chris Walsh will assemble a very experienced team of contractors and sub-contractors to deliver the development,” shared Mr Long.

“The construction industry is responsible for the second largest jobs growth on the Mid North Coast, and given most of the employment is generated from the local Port Macquarie/Hastings community we are delighted this will benefit the local economy.”

CPG Director Chris Walsh said the company constructed St Joseph’s Regional College in the Sovereign Hills community 10 years ago and has 40 years of experience constructing shopping centres in the Hastings region and beyond.

“All of our direct employees and company directors are Port Macquarie-Hastings ratepayers and we’re positive the majority of contractors and suppliers on this project will also be local,” said Mr Walsh.

Port Macquarie-Hastings Mayor Peta Pinson said she was excited about the local flow-on effect.

“We are a billion dollar economy that’s happening here at the moment. The confidence that the Lewis Land Group has shown in the Port Macquarie region has been outstanding, I thank them for that confidence and I also congratulate CPG on securing the tender and also securing jobs for our local people in the Port Macquarie-Hastings region.”

The town centre will grow in stages to more than 25,000sq.m and will be known as Sovereign Place. Stage 1 comprises 5,600sq.m and will include an IGA supermarket, chemist, medical, convenience and restaurant offerings, surrounded by landscaped areas.

“I think Lewis Land Group has done a great job incorporating the landscaping into the façade, and they’re making an effort to use recycled products, such as tempered timber cladding and recycled brick paving,” continued Mr Walsh. “They’re also looking to introduce more environmentally-friendly measures such as solar electricity and water tanks for irrigation.”

CPG values minimising the impact on the environment, and LLG is determined to achieve this across the town centre development.

“Sustainability was a key consideration throughout the design phase,” added Mr Long. “Recycled materials including natural timbers felled from within the greater Sovereign Hills development footprint will form key architectural features of the building. Reduce, re-use and recycle initiatives will be implemented by all tenants.”

LLG is no stranger to developing innovative retail and commercial space having pioneered Australia’s outlet shopping experience on the Gold Coast and in Adelaide with Harbour Town.

Sovereign Place, situated at the junction of John Oxley Drive and Chancellors Drive, is set to also feature LLG’s trademark open-air design.

CPG will commence construction on 1 November 2018, with completion anticipated before the end of 2019.