Aldi able to start work on store

Appeal against approval dropped

ALDI is now clear to start work at its new site at Highfields, after a potential court appeal by a developer was discontinued.

Stephen Bowers, who is the project manager for the Avenues of Highfields housing estate, submitted an appeal in the planning and environment court in May against the approval of the new supermarket by the Toowoomba Regional Council.

But Mr Bowers’ solicitor HWL Ebsworth Lawyers filed a notice with the courts earlier this year, informing that he wished to stop the appeal.

“Take notice that the appellant discontinues the whole of this proceeding against the respondent and the co-respondent,” the notice said in August.

But Aldi has yet to confirm when it will start construction at the site on Highfields Rd, denying there had been work at all when asked.

“Construction work has not begun for the Aldi Highfields store and any current works around the area are not related to Aldi,” a spokeswoman told The Chronicle last week.

“We know there is strong demand in Toowoomba for an alternative place to shop, and we look forward to updating the community as our plans progress.”

Mr Bowers, who said he had no commercial interest in lodging the appeal, said he believed there was a better place for the supermarket.

“It’s an accident waiting to happen. There is much less traffic 200 metres away,” he told The Chronicle in May.

The process to get the supermarket built in Highfields has been fraught with complications for Aldi since it was proposed in 2016.

Despite being approved in December last year, Aldi appealed a council condition forcing it to build and pay for a new roundabout on Highfields Rd.

The council rejected it at a special meeting in April.