Last month, Westfield Kotara hosted the Hunter Business Chamber’s Hunter First group and took attendees on a tour of the centre’s development site.

Westfield Kotara’s development is set to launch late this year and includes the construction of a new mall, which will feature 30 new fashion and lifestyle stores including a new Kmart and JB Hi-Fi.

The popular Rooftop precinct will also expand and welcome a selection of lifestyle and café options as well as a new kids’ play area.

Scentre Group Project Manager Matt Fisk, who is leading the Kotara development, took the Hunter First group around the centre to see areas of the site which are still under construction and others that are currently at the shop fit-out stage.

Matt said Westfield Kotara’s $160 million redevelopment had allocated a significant amount of work to local companies and employees.

“We’ve engaged about 20 local companies in our development, which represents around $31 million worth of work. We also employ on a daily average, about 90 local employees over the course of the project,” Matt said.

“We’re on the home stretch now and the next few months will see some major changes.

“For example, this month both of our cranes will leave the site.

“The carparking and construction team is also working on upgrades to the parking guidance system.

“We know many shoppers will also be happy to see Kmart return late this year. Kmart will be situated in the new mall, which stretches out towards Northcott Drive.

“The new mall will also feature quite a few retailers, which will be new to Newcastle.

“We’ll welcome some school groups for tours this month and from October, we’ll be able to reveal more about which new retailers will call Kotara home,” Matt said.

IMAGE | Hunter Business Chamber’s Hunter First group take a tour of the new Westfield Kotara development.