ALDI Australia has confirmed it will open a supermarket at Kiama, after signing a lease agreement with council.
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The move is expected to create up to 20 new jobs.
The company plans to set up shop on the corner of Akuna and Shoalhaven streets in 2018.
Kiama council is calling for expressions of interest in the sale of the property, with hopes to transform the site into a mixed-use development with ALDI as a cornerstone tenant.
The plans are subject to Joint Regional Planning Panel approval.
Kiama Mayor Brian Petschler said ALDI’s plans would fulfill council’s long-term commitment to bring a second supermarket to the area.
“Kiama council welcome the signing of the Agreement for Lease,” Cr Petschler said.
“It has been a long-term aim of council to attract additional retail supermarkets to town and ALDI’s commitment to the site is an important step.”
The store would create up to 20 new jobs, an ALDI Australia spokeswoman said.
“We are excited about the prospect of bringing the ALDI difference to Kiama,” she said.
“Based on initial research, we can see there is strong appetite for an ALDI store among local shoppers.
“There are proven benefits to having an ALDI in the local area, from increased grocery retail options to an overall reduction in grocery costs, and we know these benefits make a real difference for Australian families.”
ALDI is considered a key tenant for the proposed commercial complex in Kiama.
Council’s Akuna Street car park has long been identified as the council’s preferred location for a second supermarket in Kiama.
In recent years the council has spent almost $7 million buying up property surrounding the car park, and the council has prepared concept plans for what a proposed development on the site could look like.