Progress for Lithgow’s latest development
While the used car dealership on the Great Western Highway leading out to Wallerawang is no longer, something new is soon to take its place.
A 7/11 service station is being built where the dealership used to stand but the adjacent church is also getting a new lease on life thanks to a restaurant chain.
Self-described as “Mexican with a mission,” fast-food chain Zambrero will be setting up shop in the historic church.
The chain has a large charity element and pledges a food donation to someone in the developing world for each burrito bought.
Director of Isaac Property, the developer handling operations on site, Ben Isaac said demolition should be completed in the next 2-3 weeks.
From then on, Mr Isaac said the company will be commencing immediately on construction works.
Fit-out plans for the restaurant are currently being finalised for lodgement with Lithgow City Council and sketches will be available some time next week.
Owner and mechanic at nearby shop Redding’s Motor Repairs George Redding said they had known for some time about the restaurant but had to keep it under wraps.
“It’s great for the town,” Mr Redding said.
“The church is being restored, and the approach to everything has just been really positive.”
The redevelopment of the area will see Redding’s Motor Repairs turned into a carpark as the owners move up the road into new digs.
“It’s a humongous job. I’ve been in the business for 30 years and I’ve got a lot of stuff to move,” Mr Redding said.
With Zambrero set to come in, the refurbishment of KFC underway and the recent opening of healthy food joint Oliver’s on the highway at South Bowenfels, Lithgow is having a bit of a fast food moment.
Mr Redding said if all this development doesn’t kick Hungry Jacks into action with their plot at the highway and Caroline Avenue intersection he’s not sure what will.
“The whole process with Isaac Property has just been so positive.”
A submission for a Hungry Jacks outlet on the on the south western side of the intersection of the Great Western Highway-Main Street-Caroline Avenue at Bowenfels was first approved by council in June 2011.
It has sat dormant since then, fenced in with nothing but grass growing inside.
The approval was for demolition of several private homes, a restaurant, internal and external playground areas, landscaping and off street parking for 37 vehicles.
Some minor modifications to the original plan were approved in October 2011, January 2012 and just as recent as mid-last year.
