Auburn. Objections to $59.7million project

The Westfield Group, AMP and the Shopping Centre Council of Australia have objected to the discount retail giant Costco’s proposed $59.7 million, 14,000-square-metre warehouse and retail store, on Parramatta Road, Auburn. The outlet would service an area which had a population of 1.31 million last year and would expand to 1.43 million by 2021. An economic impact report prepared by Essential Economics for Costco showed the store was likely to result in a 1.2 per cent reduction in turnover for stores within Costco’s trading area. Costco MD, Patrick Noone said in The Australian Financial Review the store would employ about 250 people and 75 regional office staff. He said a Department of Planning decision was expected within weeks. Costco initially proposed its first Sydney outlet along James Ruse Drive in the Parramatta local government area.