GLG to develop $35 million shopping centre in Mt Gambier

Family owned property firm GLG has submitted plans for its $35 million Mount Gambier retail precinct to the South Australian government department for approval.

The 58-72 Commercial Street East site spans an area of 24,400 sqm. 

The retail precinct will come up at the Target site (acquired by GLG in 1980) and the adjoining Fidler and Webb site (acquired by GLG in 2013). 

The office of the State Coordinator-General of the Government of South Australia for the Development Assessment Commission (DAC) will determine GLG’s development application.

Supermarket chain ALDI and Target have already committed themselves for the new complex. ALDI will occupy a 1,740 sqm space and Target will occupy a new 5,710 sqm tenancy, supported by a new light-filled mall, 31 specialty retail tenancies and circa 300 on-site car parks.

“We’re really excited to announce our development plans for what will be named the ‘Fidler & Webb’ retail centre in recognition of the site’s rich history and relevance to Mount Gambier,” said Campbell Blennerhassett, director of GLG.

The firm’s proposed plan occupies the entire city block barring the plot of land where the South Australian Hotel stands. 

"Together with our consultants, we believe the project will create a key shopping destination for the limestone coast region, while providing employment and economic benefits significant to Mount Gambier, regional South Australia and the state as a whole.”

The proposal comprises a single storey, connected development with more traditional tenancies presenting to Commercial Street East that also draw references from the original Victorian Fidler & Webb Ltd façade, said Tim Hargreaves, senior project leader of ClarkeHopkinsClarke Architects.

“A number of shops will also present to Ferrers Street with a central atrium and market square encouraging strong pedestrian links through the site. The interior will be light filled, high ceiling spaces with integrated landscaping and features encouraging people to enjoy what will essentially function as public space.”

Other key features of the proposed Fidler & Webb plan include: 

• outdoor dining adjoining tenancies suitable for use by cafes/restaurants, with indented shop 
• fronts and wider pedestrian paths; 
• internal and external landscaping including a variety of native and deciduous trees and large shrubs around the perimeter of the car park;
• with integrated climbing plants to grow over the façade and columns. 

Construction of the Fidler & Webb retail precinct is expected to start later this year, with completion scheduled for the end of 2018.