3Five Projects paves the way for Tamworth’s next Large Format Retail hub

As Australia’s appetite for regional expansion grows, one developer is quietly reshaping the retail and logistics landscape in the heart of New South Wales. new Large Format Retail Association (LFRA) member 3Five Projects has its feet firmly planted in regional Australia, starting with Tamworth.

Led by Director John Oehlers, 3Five Projects is a property development company with a focus on long-term partnerships and regional opportunity. Its cornerstone development, the Goonoo Goonoo Road Commercial Precinct, is one of the most significant Large Format Retail and light industrial opportunities currently underway in regional Australia.

Located just 4 km south of the CBD and fronting the New England Highway, the Goonoo Goonoo precinct is surrounded by major attractions including the Big Golden Guitar, Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre, and a new 2,800-lot residential subdivision called Arcadia, set to begin construction in 2025. Air and rail connections to Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne further reinforce the precinct’s strategic accessibility.

3Five Projects is currently progressing civil works on the 130-acre precinct, located at the southern gateway to Tamworth’s CBD, with practical completion of stages 1 & 2 mid 2026.

Anchored by Woolworths, who will deliver a full-line supermarket and neighbourhood centre, the development is already underpinned by a number of secured Large Format Retailers, with flexible opportunities still available.

Importantly, the site represents the last remaining E3-zoned land within the existing Longyard precinct, making it a rare, premium site for Large Format Retail operators looking to establish or grow their presence in inland NSW.

“We’re not just looking to develop land, we want to be a long-term partner for tenants who believe in regional growth the way we do,” says Oehlers. “Goonoo Goonoo is a once-in-a-generation site, and we’re building it for tenants that want to be part of Tamworth’s next era.”

“As far as land goes, Goonoo Goonoo is prime real estate, everyone up here knows it. It’s the only E3-zoned parcel of land left in Tamworth’s Large Format Retail epicentre,” Oehlers says. “Our project will allow much-needed growth for new and existing Large Format Retail and light industrial players in the market.”

With a current LGA population of around 65,000, Tamworth’s retail trading area draws on surrounding regional centres such as Gunnedah, Narrabri and Armidale, boosting its catchment to approximately 150,000 people. Tamworth is now firmly on the radar of national Large Format Retail brands looking to tap into new and growing markets.

“We’ve seen strong demand from institutional capital in metro markets over the past five to10 years, and more developers are now turning their attention to regional opportunities,” Oehlers says. “Tamworth is becoming a high priority for Large Format Retailers that want to grow into new regions.”

What sets 3Five Projects apart? Oehlers answers candidly.

“Good question. Honestly though, operating in regional Australia is simply different, with its own intricacies and culture. My only consideration is how I can be a good long-term partner for our tenants. If we’re a good partner for our clientele, we’ll secure more business.”

It’s this grounded and highly relational approach that has shaped 3Five’s growing reputation as a reliable delivery partner for tenants who want to expand confidently into Tamworth.

As 3Five Projects joins the Large Format Retail Association community, Oehlers is enthusiastic about the road ahead.

“It’s a great time to be part of the Large Format Retail Association. There’s a lot of shared thinking happening now around regional strategy, future-proofing supply chains, and working together as a sector,” he says. “We’re excited to contribute and learn from other members who share our belief in the long-term potential of regional Australia.”

Don’t miss the chance to secure a prime position in one of regional NSW’s most exciting growth corridors. To learn more about leasing or development opportunities at the Goonoo Goonoo Road Commercial Precinct, check the listing on LFRE (Large Format Real Estate) and contact John Oehlers at 3Five Projects.