Aldi snubs Far North

Discount chain’s plans still exclude Cairns

A MAJOR grocery chain has ruled out making a foray into Cairns as Woolworths extends its reach into the suburbs.

Residents have long called for discount German retail chain Aldi to open a store in the Far North but the company says they will have to keep on waiting.

“As we continue to grow, we will look for new opportunities to bring the Aldi shopping experience to more Australians, however, we have no immediate plans to expand our business into Cairns,” and Aldi Australia spokeswoman said.

Woolworths, on the other hand, is making great waves with construction of its Gordonvale shopping centre complex due to start in July and a Trinity Beach development coming before Cairns Regional Council in the coming weeks.

The Gordonvale project has been fraught with controversy, particularly from the council which spent about $600,000 in a failed legal bid to block its construction.

But Mulgrave MP Curtis Pitt has given the plan his full support despite criticism its location on the opposite side of the Bruce Highway would slice the township in half.

He said the centre would improve the chances of another wave of residential growth on the city’s southside.

“This development will mean more jobs closer to home – particularly for young people from Gordonvale – not to mention the hundreds of construction jobs,” he said.

“It’s an exciting time in Gordonvale right now with construction under way and new businesses opening.”

The 3200sq m Gordonvale project is a smaller affair than the proposed 4350sq m shop- ping complex at Trinity Beach, which has drawn dozens of public submissions.

Smithfield Shopping Centre owner Dexus is fighting the project’s approval tooth and nail, claiming the competition would reduce its trade by about $50 million a year.