GOULBURN is expanding its gastronomic offerings with two major take-away restaurants and a CBD cafe.
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The self-described burger king, Hungry Jacks wants to build a restaurant in northern Auburn St. Further south, in Hume St, Red Rooster will set up shop.
Hungry Jacks has lodged a development with Council for a 275 square metre restaurant and drive-thru at 434 Auburn St. It involves demolition of the former Robertson United used car site, next to BWS Liquor.
The $865,000 development includes a 60-seat restaurant, servery, kitchen, wash-up area, amenities, a drive-thru with entry and exit via Auburn St and 24 carparks.
"Pending approval, it is anticipated a new restaurant could open in the first half of 2017, creating up to 50 jobs in the local community," a Hungry Jacks spokeswoman said.
It will mean 10 full time and 50 part-time positions, the DA states.
The document also signals 24-hour operation, a move sure to raise social impact issues.
But the chain has "zero tolerance" for anti-social behaviour and will have 16 CCTV cameras, an illuminated carpark around the eatery and "crime prevention" design.
Its promotional signs will be just as visible.
Plans detail an eight-metre high illuminated sign on the southeast corner of the site, four 2.4 metre by 2.4m 'bun' signs, a smaller one and eight double-sided rotating preview boards. There will also be illuminated and non-illuminated directional and traffic management signs.
If it all seems a bit much, the applicants assure people the single-storey project will be "responsive to the neighbourhoods significance and character and ultimately contribute to the quality of the streetscape and setting."
Hungry Jacks has more than 400 stores across Australia. The chain declined to answer why it had chosen Goulburn and how long it had been looking for a site.
Meantime, Red Rooster is expanding its local presence with an outlet in Hume St. It has an existing take-away in Goulburn Plaza.
The $1 million restaurant and drive-thru will be part of a broader service centre on the corner of Ducks Lane and Hume St.
The council approved that plan in November, 2014 but a DA was only recently lodged for Red Rooster's signage.
The 22-seat restaurant will be an "in-line" outlet, sitting under the same roof as Woolworths, rather than standing alone.
It would open late 2016/early 2017 and employ 40 to 50 locals, a Red Rooster spokesperson said.
The Goulburn Plaza franchisee will also take on the Hume St operation.
Developer and former Goulburn man Rod Thompson bought the land from Bunnings in May, 2013.
"It took a little while to get Red Rooster over the line but we're at the pointy end now," he said.
He hoped to award a construction tender next week.
Woolworths plans to build a $1.5 million Caltex service station on the site, including a 280 square metre building, kiosk, nine fuel stations and three underground tanks. The project is expected to capture trade from the nearby Merino service station, a popular stop for highway travellers.
Mr Thompson said Woolworths hoped to complete construction by Christmas but it could roll into February with the break.
He had no trouble signing up tenants.
"It's a great location with good sight lines, which were pretty powerful," he said.
"...It will be good to get some price competition for petrol. It will be a good development and we've been waiting a long time for it.
"Council has been fantastic. They've probably been one of the more proactive councils I've dealt with."
If burgers and chicken don't tantalise your palate, other options are on the menu board.
As reported in Monday's Goulburn Post, a development application has been lodged for a new Greengrocer on Clifford. The building was destroyed by fire in January.
John Emery, who is acting for the owner, says he hopes the cafe, bike shop and fruit and vegetable shop will be up and running by early next year.
Farmer Felds is chomping into a similar theme. The fruit and vegetable store is also incorporating a cafe named 'Grazing' at the front of its premises.
Owner Susan Feld said she was just awaiting the council green light.
"It will give a healthy alternative to the take-away trade in the block, with gourmet salads, fruit salad, yoghurts, soups etc," she said.
The cafe will use locally sourced produce in its menu and cater for children too.
Mrs Feld and husband Brett are riding high following their recent Greengrocer of the Year service win in the Sydney Markets Fresh Awards.