97% of GLA secured by Big W and BWS – resilient DDS investment in Australia’s first Renewable Energy Zone
Colliers is exclusively bringing to market Big W Mudgee, a dominant Discount Department Store (DDS) investment anchored by Woolworths Group.
Located at 72-78 Market Street, Mudgee, the centre occupies a prime corner site in the heart of the CBD and was purpose-built by Fabcot, the property development arm of Woolworths Group. The asset is underpinned by Big W and BWS, securing 97% of the Gross Lettable Area (GLA), delivering a highly defensive income stream with minimal management requirements.
“This is a rare regional retail opportunity anchored by Woolworths Group with a newly extended Big W lease and immediate value‑add from active capital works. Big W holds an all of land lease, excluding the specialties, delivering management efficiencies, supported by a dominant market position and exposure to one of Australia’s fastest-growing regional economies,” said James Wilson, Head of Retail Middle Markets, Australia.
Mudgee is experiencing structural development driven by the Central‑West Orana Renewable Energy Zone, Australia’s first fully approved REZ, which is forecast to attract more than $10 billion in private investment and generate over 7,000 jobs by 2030.
“Big W Mudgee is the only DDS in the catchment, with the nearest competitor located over 120km* away. This exclusivity underpins the store’s strong trading performance and low occupancy cost of under 5%. The ongoing transformation of the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone is driving population growth and fuelling retail demand across the region, further enhancing the asset’s long-term growth outlook,” added Ben Wilkinson, Manager of Retail Middle Markets, NSW.
Big W Mudgee represents the largest freestanding retail tenancy in Mudgee CBD, with the Centre boasting 5,218m2 of GLA, including three street frontages. The centre benefits from on-grade parking and extensive surrounding council and street parking, providing over 300 convenient spaces for customers.
According to Colliers’ Q3 snapshot, retail has been a standout asset class in 2025, supported by resilient household spending, constrained retail floorspace and population growth, with year-to-date transaction activity and average sale prices materially higher than prior periods – a trend we expect to continue.
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