Construction on the long-awaited Coles redevelopment at the Dickson shops could soon be underway - but no one will say how soon.
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A large sign at the corner of Antill Street and Badham Street promises the building is coming soon, while the project's website still says construction is slated to start in May.
But direct answers were not forthcoming to questions from the Sunday Canberra Times this week.
"Our new state-of-the-art Coles supermarket at Dickson will create hundreds of new local retail and construction jobs, as well as offer more choice, great value and an enhanced shopping experience for local residents," a Coles spokesman said.
"In line with development approvals already in place, we anticipate construction will commence later this year and we will be sure to keep the community informed on further progress."
Ignoring a direct question, the spokesman did not provide a starting date for construction work.
TP Dynamics, which is Coles' development partner for the project, did not respond to questions.
Coles last year blamed the COVID-19 pandemic for delays to the project, but did not provide a timeframe for its completion and said the community would be kept informed.
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Planning Minister Mick Gentleman used "call in" powers to approve the planned development in July 2019.
At the time it was expected construction would begin within six months.
Coles first lodged plans in 2014 to build two supermarkets and 155 apartments at the site, but scaled the proposal back amid community opposition.
The planning authority approved amended plans in June 2016, but the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal overturned the decision in 2018.
The project's completion has added financial significance for the government, due to a clause related to the controversial Dickson land swap.
While more than five years have passed since the ACT government sold the car park next to the Dickson Tradies to the Tradies Club for $3.5 million, settlement on the deal won't be reached until the Coles development has been completed.
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Jasper Lindell
Jasper Lindell joined The Canberra Times in 2018. He is a Legislative Assembly reporter, covering ACT politics and government. He also writes about development, transport, heritage, local history, literature and the arts, as well as contributing to the Times' Panorama magazine. He was previously a Sunday Canberra Times reporter.
Jasper Lindell joined The Canberra Times in 2018. He is a Legislative Assembly reporter, covering ACT politics and government. He also writes about development, transport, heritage, local history, literature and the arts, as well as contributing to the Times' Panorama magazine. He was previously a Sunday Canberra Times reporter.
