The Canberra Times has the sad news for Giralang residents that plans to redevelop their shops around a new Woolworths have been scuppered by the opposition of Supabarn and others:
Giralang shops closed in 2005. The site’s owner, Dimitri Nikias, proposed a redevelopment of 13 townhouses and small shops, which planning authorities rejected. With Woolworths as an anchor tenant, Mr Nikias then submitted a supermarket development which planners also rejected, saying it was too big.
Last year the ACT Planning and Land Authority approved a revised 1667sqm supermarket, speciality shops and car parks.
But rival supermarkets said Woolworths was trying for a bigger operation under the guise of storage, plant and loading dock at the back of the supermarket.
Supabarn, IGA operators, landholders and residents appealed against the approval in the ACT Administrative Appeals Tribunal and their case was set down for a hearing in May.
But the planning approval will be surrendered and the hearing won’t go ahead.
Giralang residents waiting and campaigning for a new shopping centre since 2005 now face an even longer delay.
Perhaps the best solution if one wants local shops is to not live in Giralang.