NATIONAL retail giant Coles has released exclusive concept plans, pictured below, for a new $12m supermarket complex as part of Mount Gambier’s Fidler and Webb site redevelopment.
While an ALDI warehouse and four retail stores have already been given the green light by planning authorities, the development application for stage two has now been lodged with Mount Gambier City Council.
The Border Watch was yesterday given a first glimpse of the sweeping blueprint, which will see the outdated Target store razed to make way for the development.
Part of an overall $19m sweeping plan for the prominent precinct, stage two proposes the construction of an integrated shopping centre.
The centre will house a modern Coles supermarket and 10 specialty shops – the largest of these spaces will be occupied with a liquor store.
Coles is yet to confirm whether it will relocate its Elizabeth Street store or operate a second site in the heart of the city.
GLG spokesperson Campbell Blennerhassett said the company – which owned the site – was thrilled with the development proposal given the site would have two retail giants as anchors.
“It has been a long road, but we are really excited about what we will build,” Mr Blennerhassett said.
The prominent developer said attracting these developments by two national retailers was a major coup for the Blue Lake city given the national retail climate.
Mr Blennerhassett said significant work had been poured into the plans to ensure this development “really worked for the people who shopped there”.
“This is a great outcome for Mount Gambier. The new Coles supermarkets are a great place to shop.”
According to the detailed plans lodged with council, the future tenants of the specialty shops were not known as this stage.
“It is anticipated that complementary retail and other commercial businesses – such as bakery, fruit and vegetables, hairdresser, travel, cafe/takeaway and the like – will be interested in the tenancies,” according to the development plan.
The balance of the site will incorporate car-parking, pedestrian walkways and landscaping.
“This proposal seeks to redevelop a large strategically located site within the centre of Mount Gambier,” the development application report said.
“It will reinvigorate the retail offering and pedestrian experience.”
The blueprint also proposes the new building will be situated in the north-east corner of the site, adjacent Compton Street.
“The overall scheme is a contemporary, unified design which incorporates variable materials, form and height to create visual interest,” according to the application.
The development will include 326 carpark spaces, which is above the requirement.
“The site has been designed to accommodate safe and convenient vehicle access, egress and circulation,” the document said.
The proposal also includes the demolition of existing parking at Target.
This latest proposal follows Mount Gambier City Council issuing approval for stage one of the Fidler and Webb development, which will see ALDI supermarket and four retail stores constructed.
ALDI has foreshadowed it wanted to begin construction of its store in the first quarter of 2019.
Council development services manager Tracy Tzioutziouklaris said council had now received the development application for stage two of the site.
“It involves the demolition of the existing Target building and a construction of a new building,” Ms Tzioutziouklaris said.
She said council staff would now pore over the plans as part of the planning approval process.
“In the city centre zone, it is normally complying category one – so it will not be publicly notified because shops are envisaged in that zone,” the planning manager said.
“We will assess the application in terms of setbacks, building height, car-parking and stormwater disposal.”
Ms Tzioutziouklaris said members of the community were welcome to come into the council office to peruse the plans.
It is not known at this stage if the application would be assessed by council’s Development Assessment Panel or by delegated authority.
Target announced last week it would close its doors on May 25, ending a 40-year presence in Mount Gambier.
More than 2000 people have signed a petition calling on Target to keep a presence in Mount Gambier.
