Stockland Green Hills redevelopment underway after Peter Blackmore, Jenny Aitchison, Joel Fitzgibbon turn sod

Maitland Mayor Peter Blackmore, state member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison, federal member for the Hunter Joel Fitzgibbon and Stockland group executive and CEO of commercial property John Shroder all focused their speeches on job creation as 65-tonne earth movers thundered around them.

Mr Shroder said 1400 jobs would be created during the construction phase, with a focus on local sub-contractors.

“This is a big employment driver,” he said.

“It’s a wonderful investment for the wider Hunter and Maitland.”

After construction wraps up in 2018 a further 1300 retail and hospitality positions would be created by the shopping centre, which will be a similar size to Westfield Kotara.

Mr Blackmore said he was relieved the day had finally come after years of “to-and-fro” about the future direction of Green Hills’ shopping centre.

“This is about service to the Lower Hunter,” he said.

“Five new people a day make Maitland their home.

“And when somebody is considering that one of the first things they consider is ‘Will there be a job there for their children and grandchildren?’.

Ms Aitchison drew attention to the scope of the Hunter’s employment woes to highlight the importance of the project.

“More than one in five young people in Maitland can’t get work,” she said.

“We really need investment in our community like this, it’s great to see the private sector come in like this.”

Mr Fitzgibbon pointed to the value of economic and job growth in areas not associated with the coalface as the mining industry continues to decline.

He also said it was positive news for the consumer, who would have more reasons to spend locally.

“You all know how busy the road between Maitland and Newcastle is,” he said.

“A lot of those people are going to work but a lot are going shopping.

“Now they’ll be spending their money here in Maitland.”