By Jesse Graham
HEALESVILLE’S commemorative 150th footpath will not be torn up with the arrival of ALDI’s new supermarket, a spokesperson has confirmed.
An ALDI Australia spokesperson, responding to questions from the Mail, confirmed on Friday, 16 December, that the construction of the new supermarket, at the corner of Church Street and Nicholson Street (Maroondah Highway) will not impact the footpath in the long-term.
“Should the footpath along Maroondah Highway need to be relocated during construction, we would reinstate the commemorative pavers once the store is complete,” the spokesperson said.
The response came after a number of residents contacted the Mail and posted on social media with concerns that the construction of the supermarket would damage or replace the footpath along the highway.
The footpath features pavers, prepared for Healesville’s 150th birthday in 2014, with names of residents and logos of businesses in town.
The ALDI spokesperson said the construction was set to begin once a planning permit was issued by the Yarra Ranges Council, with a 9-12 month construction time before the store was complete.
“When establishing a new store, ALDI works closely with local planning bodies such as council, other businesses and community groups to ensure we positively impact the local area,” they said.
The council posted on 16 December that the two-storey supermarket would feature car parking in the basement area, and that the footpath would be protected.
Two trees, one from River Street and one on the corner of River Street and Church Street, are set to be removed if the construction goes ahead.
Submissions can be made online at yarraranges.vic.gov.au or in writing to PO Box 105, Lilydale, 3140 – address all submissions to the Yarra Ranges Council’s planning team.
