A MAJOR Maitland shopping centre's $350 million redevelopment could be under way before next Christmas after more than two years on the shelf.
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Work at Stockland Green Hills, the city's largest shopping centre, could start in the second half of 2014 as part of a transformation that would double the centre's existing capacity.
A Stockland spokesman said Green Hills was one of the company's most productive and popular centres and plans to give shoppers more could be in motion before next Christmas.
"We have earmarked the centre for future redevelopment as part of our pipeline of projects scheduled to commence during [the next financial year]," he said.
"We've been reshaping our shopping centres with a clear objective to create the best retail offer in each trade area and our aim is to be a leader in regional markets and have a clear point of difference where we operate in metropolitan areas.
"We expect to make further announcements in due course relating to the future development of Stockland Green Hills."
The Newcastle Herald has reported a Green Hills expansion gained unanimous approval from Maitland City Council in October 2011 to add a second level.
Under those plans, the second level will reach north to shift the main entrance to Mitchell Drive.
Myer and another major tenant have been mooted for the site, which will also double the available parking.
Mayor Peter Blackmore said growing Green Hills would keep the city's shopping dollars in the city, providing more opportunity in the retail sector and ramping up competition with Newcastle's major centres.
"What this is all about is to stop the dollars going past the front door - rather than going down to Newcastle or Charlestown, we will have what people are looking for here in Maitland," Cr Blackmore said.
Green Hills' revamp would be part of a retail renaissance that has transformed several Hunter shopping centres.
The changes include a new-look Charlestown Square, unveiled in 2010 after a $470 million overhaul, while Marketown's $55 million upgrade opened in June 2011.
Westfield Kotara secured approval for an expansion earlier this year that will replace some existing parking with a cinema, restaurants, cafes and retail space.
