A $3 million, first of its kind, development for Tea Gardens has been unveiled today by a Newcastle businessman who grew up in the area.
Trade Safe & Store is a new, 4,000 sqm, business park at 3-7 Winta Road. According to developer Steve Lawler it is a business park with a difference that will benefit a region that is experiencing a shortfall of quality facilities for purchase.
Steve said the facility will incorporate business and industrial spaces, as well as much needed local trade and storage units alongside a cafe and car wash. The site will have 24-hour security and an onsite manager.
He said the growth in the local population, increased tourism, and the fact that quality storage options were at capacity in the area prompted the development.
“Recent housing developments such as Palm Lake have brought more people to the area, which is also increasing business opportunities in the area,” Steve said.
“The new IGA supermarket in Hawks Nest as well as the new developments before Council shows that the Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest area is about to hit a boom period,” he said.
“There is definitely a general sense of confidence about the area and it is great to be developing something for the town in which I grew up”.
“Currently, I only see rental options for people in the area who need storage or a small office to work from.”
“Trade, Safe + Store will allow people to buy a high quality building and, at current interest rates, the repayments on a purchase loan are less than paying rent for similar quality.”
Newcastle New Projects, a division of PRDnationwide Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, has been appointed to market and sell the development off the plan.
PRD Managing Director, Mark Kentwell, said the facility was perfect for local tradies for stock and equipment storage as well as an office. Mark said members of the community were also looking for a place to safely store their caravan or boat and tourism operators or clubs could store boating equipment such as kayaks or jetskis.
He said he also expected interest from astute investors locally and from further afield, looking for a quality, affordable asset to rent out.
“It may also be advantageous for tradies and other business people to include the asset within their Self-Managed Super Fund,” Mark said.
Units range in size from 18.1 to 99 square metres and are priced from $45,000 to $276,000. Some units are air-conditioned and 18 come with a mezzanine. There is on-site parking and the site is broadband ready with fibre optic cabling. Six other business and warehouse units are being released under an Expressions of Interest.
Steve Lawler is also the Managing Director of Newcastle based firm, SurDevel, that he founded in 2000. Steve is a Registered Surveyor and has a Bachelor of Surveying from Newcastle University. He attended Tea Gardens Primary School and Hunter River High School.
