New Bunnings Warehouse Palmerston under watchful eye of Big Kev the dinosaur

Earlier in August Palmerston welcomed its new $58 million Bunnings Warehouse store located on the corner of Stuart Highway and Tulagi Road.

The new store spans over 17,000 square metres and currently employs 170 local team members.

Complex Manager Clayton Leeder, who has been a part of the Bunnings team for nine years, said the larger store provides customers an even wider range of home improvement and lifestyle products, backed by the best service.

“Everyone worked really hard to get the store ready for opening and the team and I look forward to welcoming the local community through our doors,” Clayton said.

The store, which is more than double the size of the former Palmerston warehouse, is standing under the watchful eye of Big Kev the dinosaur, who was given a new home on the site in early May.

The 18-metre fibreglass brachiosaurus has lived alongside the Stuart Highway at Yarrawonga since 2007 but had to be taken dismantled and stored in mid-2019 because of plans to develop the site he was on.

Big Kev now stands tall facing towards Pierssene Road near the outdoor nursery of the Bunnings store.

“It’s certainly a special store, being the only Bunnings to ever have a dinosaur living next to the outdoor nursery. Given he’s a herbivore, I’d say he’s pretty happy there!” Clayton said.

As part of the store opening, the team has already provided support to local community groups with product donations.

“So far we’ve provided assistance to the Jabiru Mobile Mens Shed by donating equipment such as power tools and storage boxes, to help establish their mobile unit, which will reach remote communities throughout the West Arnhem Region.

“We also provided HPA Helping People Achieve with a variety of pavers to help them create attractive paths in their sensory garden for their students, as well as supporting Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation ALPA by donating PPE and power tools to prepare and engage Millingimbi students for work experience opportunities in their community.

“We’re always looking for opportunities to contribute to local causes and we look forward to providing further assistance to more community groups in the future, as well as hosting groups for the famous sausage sizzle,” Clayton said.

The new Bunnings Warehouse Palmerston includes a kitchen design centre with 12 brand new kitchen concepts, alongside a wide range of bathroom displays, an outdoor nursery, café and increased car parking from nearly 200 car parks to over 450.

The store also has a bigger building materials yard, including a seven-lane timber drive thru with over 30 indoor car spaces.

A number of team members are skilled experts in timber, tools, paint, kitchens, plumbing, garden and outdoor living and are on hand to provide local residents with expert advice for all their D.I.Y. projects.