THE looming demolition of the dilapidated Fidler and Webb building in Mount Gambier will be pushed back to early next year amid delays in the development assessment process.
The blueprint for the $35m overhaul of the prominent multi-street frontage site is still being processed by the State Development Assessment Commission.
But Melbourne-based developers GLG foreshadow there should be no major stumbling blocks to getting the green light from development assessors.
The company plans to transform the site into an integrated modern precinct, which will be anchored by retail giant Target and supermarket discount chain ALDI.
The 24,400 square metre retail centre will house 31 speciality stores, which has provision for outdoor dining adjoining tenancies for use by cafes/restaurants.
The development is expected to create 160 industry jobs during the construction phase and around 280 ongoing jobs.
GLG director Campbell Blennerhassett said yesterday the demolition of the building was unlikely to occur later this year, which was inline with the initial timeline.
“The application is still sitting with the commission, it has requested further information,” Mr Blennerhassett told The Border Watch.
He said while the process had taken longer than he expected, it was not unusual and no different to planning assessments in other states.
“We will now see the demolition works push into next year,” Mr Blennerhassett said.
He said the current building had fallen into disrepair, was unsafe and a complete rebuild was necessary to transform the site into a dynamic retail precinct.
The developer said ALDI and Target continued to be committed to the project with a number of other national retailers flagging interest in the development.
Mr Blennerhassett said a number of national companies had contacted him after seeing the $35m development plans in major national industry magazines and in newspapers.
“A number have requested floor plans,” he revealed.
But he said the company had yet to launch a marketing campaign to lure tenants given the development was still tied up in the approval process.
A regional and national marketing campaign was expected to be begin once plans were finalised.
“We have had good interest from the local area and we usually find when a couple of businesses sign up, others will follow,” Mr Blennerhassett said.
“Mount Gambier City Council has been very supportive of the project.”
Mr Blennerhassett said the buildings works should take around 12 months.
According to the unchanged plans, the design will retain its historic Fidler and Webb name, draw references from the original Victorian facade and will feature a stunning central light-filled atrium with strong pedestrian linkages.
The long established and ageing Target store at the rear of the site will also be razed to make way for the sprawling centre and 300 onsite car parks.
The company is planning to secure a mix of retail, hospitality and service businesses in the new centre and its doors were open to regional operators.
Moreover, it has foreshadowed the centre could house fashion boutiques, cafes and even service industries such as hairdressers.
Mr Blennerhassett said he believed the centre would reinvigorate that area of Commercial Street and would strengthen the city’s reputation as a shopping destination.
“This site is really in the heart of Mount Gambier,” he said.
“The proposed plan occupies the entire city block with the exception of one small land parcel occupied by the South Australian Hotel.”
