A sign warning the Dickson shops car park will be closed from July 26 has gone up to allow works to begin on Coles' $69 million housing and shopping complex, on the corner of Antill and Badham streets.

The proposed mixed-use development, which would rise from two to seven storeys, includes 140 apartments, a supermarket, 4900 square metres of retail space and 472 basement level car parks.

The contentious proposal was given the green light in 2019, after Planning Minister Mick Gentleman used his "call in" powers to approve the development.

Prior to Mr Gentleman's intervention, Coles had battled for five years to win approval for Dickson's second supermarket, next to the existing Woolworths.

Mr Gentleman welcomed the commencement of the project, which he said was called in to provide a new supermarket, better public spaces and more parking for the centre.

"Developments like these provide greater housing choices and retail opportunities for the growing community in Canberra's inner-north," Mr Gentleman said.

"The government has addressed community concerns such as temporary off-site parking during construction, traffic management and preserving the Dickson Library.

"More than 655 permanent car parks will be created at the centre, as well as improved footpaths and landscaping."

In a previous statement to The Canberra Times, a Coles spokesman said disruptions associated with the coronavirus crisis had led to delays in the commencement of work.

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However, reports indicate the project had been stalled before the pandemic hit after one of the developers pulled out of the venture.

TP Dynamics, which is Coles' current development partner for the project, is also behind the Wish Development in Bruce, which proposes a supermarket, 56 townhouses, 12 terraces, commercial spaces and a basement car park.

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