Orange City Council has begun assessing development applications for some of the 14 stores that will occupy the specialty retail space at Orange’s new shopping centre.

Applications for a bakery, a butcher, a newsagency, a discount pharmacy, a Yummy Noodle bar, a Woolworths Liquor, and a restaurant called Graze Cafe and Restaurant have already been approved.

The council is assessing an application for a Michel’s Patisserie and Subway, and is waiting on applications for a further four stores and a kiosk.

After months of construction and road works, the shopping centre is on track to open next month.

Development manager Wesley Dose said the 3200 square metre Woolworths, 200 square metre Woolworths Liquor, and specialty stores would open on December 1.

“Things are progressing on schedule and we’re looking forward to opening,” he said.

“It’s offering a full supermarket in a growth area of town, there’s specialty stores, an internal bus stop and taxi rank, and great on-site parking.”

The on-site parking area has 287 spaces, which will hopefully ease some of the pressure on the busy Woolworths car park in Anson Street.

Drivers will also be relieved to know the council’s road works at the intersection of the Northern Distributor Road and Telopea Way will be finished at the end of this month.

“The preliminary seal on the Northern Distributor Road is done,” Orange City Council corporate and community relations manager Nick Redmond said.

“In the next two weeks the final asphalt will go across the intersection, the line marking will be done and the lighting will go in for the pedestrian pathways.”

lisa.cox@ruralpress.com