Whats up with Giralang Shops?

AS of Monday 12th January, Work has begun again at the Giralang shops, post the ‘Christmas standown’ period. Appears they are commencing the basement structural footings for the next level. The basement slab was poured prior to Christmas allowing for the slab to cure over the break prior to the next stage of construction works.

Appears to be well and truly going ahead. Great news!

aaa123 said :

I have noticed that there is no work going on at the Giralang shops site anymore (nor any workers present). I am unsure if this is due to the xmas period or if work has stopped due to the high court ruling… I hope it is the former

Nothing happening here either (must be waiting for some more “pop”)
http://the-riotact.com/westside-pop-up-village/130176

I have noticed that there is no work going on at the Giralang shops site anymore (nor any workers present). I am unsure if this is due to the xmas period or if work has stopped due to the high court ruling… I hope it is the former

JS2590 said :

As Mick Gentleman MLA mentioned, the developer is continuing with building the shops. No other DA or plans other than the shops have been lodged with Actpla. So it is going ahead.

All parties, including the shop owners in nearby suburbs, Labor, Liberals, the developer, etc. have all placed support for the new shopping centre at Giralang over the past week. Everyone understands Giralang residents deserve and need it. Contention is potential competition from Woolworths opening up.

The Kaleen and Evatt IGA owners are to blame for all these delays impacting all Giralang residents.They know that the new suburb of Lawson is being built between these suburbs and Lawson has no plans of shops being built for it. They are only keen to screw Giralang residents to take even a wider client base when thousands of Lawson residents move in.

We must all remember that Giralang had a viable shopping Centre even without Lawson. All shops had enough clients.

Kaleen and Evatt IGA should stop waisting time and tax payers money and let Giralang residents have their shops back.

You are correct when you say that all parties are in favour of shops at Giralang shops… The parties you mention however, do not agree on the size of the shops that are being proposed. Wasn’t there a petition signed by 3000 residents opposing the development application?

The real question is, what will happen if the court rules against the developer and Woolworths? If the whole development has to come down, will Woolworths be paying to build a new supermarket at the same site that complies with planning laws? Watch this space… The next court case will be between the developer and Woolworths!

As Mick Gentleman MLA mentioned, the developer is continuing with building the shops. No other DA or plans other than the shops have been lodged with Actpla. So it is going ahead.

All parties, including the shop owners in nearby suburbs, Labor, Liberals, the developer, etc. have all placed support for the new shopping centre at Giralang over the past week. Everyone understands Giralang residents deserve and need it. Contention is potential competition from Woolworths opening up.

The Kaleen and Evatt IGA owners are to blame for all these delays impacting all Giralang residents.They know that the new suburb of Lawson is being built between these suburbs and Lawson has no plans of shops being built for it. They are only keen to screw Giralang residents to take even a wider client base when thousands of Lawson residents move in.

We must all remember that Giralang had a viable shopping Centre even without Lawson. All shops had enough clients.

Kaleen and Evatt IGA should stop waisting time and tax payers money and let Giralang residents have their shops back.

I dunno, do they need a swimming pool instead?

born2Bwild said :

It would be a very bold business move of the Nikkias Diamond Group to commence the actual construction works before the High Court have passed their verdict. However, if the High Court challenge favours SuperBarn and IGA shop owners, then I think Nikkias Diamond has a ‘plan B strategy’, which will be subject to ACT Planning approval; i.e. if the shops do not go ahead, I can see the potential for an apartment complex (maybe 2-4 storey) with very large underground parking. The site is well suited for that type of apartment design and the earthworks show that this is possible.

Not surprised to hear the sad news for the ill-fated Giralang Shops: – High Court upholds Giralang shops redevelopment appeal (in favour of IGA and SuperBarn owners)
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/high-court-upholds-giralang-shops-redevelopment-appeal-20141210-12416d.html

So the High Court judgement (all 5 judges) placing the matter back in the hands of the ACT Court of Appeal. How long is this s#!tfight going to go on for!

I don’t think we’ll ever see a Woolworths or Coles, maybe an ALDI could be our best bet, but then I suppose Kaleen Superbarn and Evatt IGA will oppose that as well.

I think Nikkias Diamond may very well have a “Plan B” strategy as per my post above for an apartment complex.

As a long term resident of Giralang, I too have waited a very long time to see the demolition of the derelict Giralang shops. I have been driving past everyday since the bulldozers commenced the earthworks, and have cheerfully observed the site slowly taking shape for ‘some sort of construction’.

It would be a very bold business move of the Nikkias Diamond Group to commence the actual construction works before the High Court have passed their verdict. However, if the High Court challenge favours SuperBarn and IGA shop owners, then I think Nikkias Diamond has a ‘plan B strategy’, which will be subject to ACT Planning approval; i.e. if the shops do not go ahead, I can see the potential for an apartment complex (maybe 2-4 storey) with very large underground parking. The site is well suited for that type of apartment design and the earthworks show that this is possible.

Like I said, just my thoughts and observations. I am truly hoping that I am wrong and Giralang still ends up with our very own shopping complex, if not Woolworths or Coles as residents, then maybe an ALDI, and other speciality shops.

Thank you Mick Gentleman for the quick response on this matter.

Yes, I for one are very happy with this going ahead. People in Giralang have waited too long for shops to be open. It is a desperately needed community facility.

Watching the high court challenge in full, the whole case was about protecting market share, not about the needs of residents in the area. At least we will see some action at last, and I’m very happy that the developers have started the works. Bring it on!

Mick G – thanks for the quick response to this. Great to see the developer is pushing forward… it will be a travesty if it gets knocked back. I’ll be more than happy to see Supabarn and their skulking buddies be slapped down and put back in their box.