THE iconic Fidler and Webb building will soon disappear from the city’s retail landscape with demolition works set to get under way next month.
Discount supermarket juggernaut ALDI has revealed demolition will begin in April to make for the construction of its multi-million dollar store.
Mount Gambier City Council has also confirmed it has now issued stage one approval for the demolition works.
The supermarket store is part of a $6.8m development at the prominent site, which will also include the construction of four retail spaces.
The demolition will usher in a new era for the dilapidated Fidler and Webb site amid a $19m overall blueprint for the prominent inner city precinct.
A $12m Coles Supermarket integrated shopping complex is also part of the broader blueprint, which will replace the Target store that will close in May.
In a statement released by exclusively to The Border watch this week, an ALDI spokesperson said the company was hoping to start demolition next month.
The ALDI store is expected to open by the end of this year with up to 20 full and part time employees expected to be employed at its new warehouse.
Mount Gambier City Council strategic project officer Tracy Tzioutziouklaris said the demolition of the Fidler and Webb building appeared imminent.
She said the development had now been granted stage one approval, which was the demolition of the buildings.
“What we issued previously was planning approval for the overall development, which is the construction of the new supermarket and four speciality shops,” Ms Tzioutziouklaris said.
She revealed the project proponents had provided private certification for stage one of the demolition.
Asked about how long the demolition would take, Ms Tzioutziouklaris said these activities were “usually a relatively quickly process.”
“Obviously, they will need to ensure there is no asbestos in the building and if there is, that will need to be removed appropriately by a licensed contractor,” she said.
Regarding the potential disruption to the street and retail landscape, she said the company may need to apply for a permit to close off the footpath.
But she said these details had yet been determined.
Ms Tzioutziouklaris said the developers would need to gain further development approvals from council before construction work could begin on the site.
Regarding the Coles Supermarket complex proposed development at the site, the council planning specialist said significant background work had already been undertaken on this proposal.
“You may find it will happen sooner rather than later. They may be keen to get both new buildings up together. There is one company coordinating both sites.”
The Coles development has mooted the construction of an integrated shopping complex housing a modern Coles supermarket and 10 speciality shops.
The Fidler and Webb building has laid idle since 2013 following all the tenants vacating the site.
