Aldi will start demolishing its derelict Nedlands shopping centre “in the coming weeks” after years of inaction but the future of its multi-million dollar redevelopment of the Stirling Highway site remains in limbo.
The German supermarket giant bought the former Captain Stirling Shopping Centre on the corner of Florence Road and Stirling Highway in 2015.
It secured the green light from State planners in 2018 to demolish the former IGA and surrounding stores and replace them with a $10 million redevelopment featuring a new Aldi supermarket, independent office and retail tenancies and a carpark.
It was given an extension to this approval in November 2019, with the development assessment panel allowing three years to substantially commence works on the site or the “approval shall lapse and be of no further effect”.
That deadline has been and gone, with the site left to decay and becomes a magnet for antisocial behaviour, with the building covered in graffiti and its windows smashed, plus rubbish dumped across the carpark.
Aldi fenced off the site late last year after being issued a notice from the City of Nedlands.
Workers in protective gear were seen on site this week, with signs added to the fencing to advise asbestos removal was underway.
It is understood Aldi will clear the site in the coming weeks to ensure its safety.
However, the company refused to comment on whether it still intended to go ahead with its plans to redevelop the site.
The City of Nedlands confirmed Aldi had advised it would be starting demolition of the buildings “in the coming weeks”.
“The city has not received any requests from Aldi for an extension to the current development approval,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said the city had recently encouraged Aldi to proceed with demolishing the buildings on the site given its state of disrepair.
“The timing of the site’s redevelopment is a matter solely for Aldi, once they have the necessary approvals in place,” they said.
It comes after rival supermarket giant Woolworths was finally approved in February to develop the neighbouring Captain Stirling Hotel site after first floating its plans in 2015 but becoming locked in legal and planning limbo.
The company plans to build a $25 million development including a Woolworths, restaurant and cafe, gym, retail tenancies, medical centre and a liquor store.