It’s all go at the Aldi construction site at Koko Molonglo in Wright. Photos: Ian Bushnell
Aldi has confirmed that the doors to its new 1500 sqm store in Wright at the Koko Molonglo development will open on 31 May.
Work on Koko’s second supermarket has accelerated in recent months, and speculation has been mounting in the Molonglo Valley community about when it will be up and running.
Developer John Krnc submitted the development application in 2021. Since then, a 1500 sqm Woolworths Metro has opened at Koko, along with a number of other shops and cafes.
Across John Gorton Drive, the Coombs shops have attracted a couple of Indian grocers, a gastro pub, liquor store, cafe and takeaway pizza shop, but the 1000 sqm space for a supermarket remains empty with few takers for such a small site. There are also numerous vacant shops.
An Aldi spokesperson told Region: “We are excited to announce that we will be bringing our unique shopping experience to the Wright community, opening the doors to our brand-new store on Saturday, 31 May.
“The new store will offer Wright residents a supermarket experience like no other, providing shoppers with award-winning grocery products at everyday low prices and iconic Special Buys together with fresh fruit, vegetables and bread delivered daily.”
Mr Krnc said construction and fit-out were progressing well on the Aldi store.
He said that when complete, the precinct would be much easier for customers to use.
“When Aldi opens two other entries and exits will be operational, which will make access and egress very smooth to the whole precinct,” Mr Krnc said.
Molonglo Valley Community Forum convenor Ryan Hemsley welcomed the news that the new supermarket would finally be opening at the end of next month and that the growing area would have another piece of service infrastructure.
“It’s been a long time coming, but we’re at last starting to see shops and facilities being delivered in Molonglo to meet the needs of our district’s growing population,” he said.
“There’s still some way to go – in addition to the new [Molonglo River] bridge, the government has also promised to deliver a Molonglo Town Centre, including a public college and a police station.”
But he sounded a warning about the proposed village centre for Coombs and Wright at the intersection of John Gorton Drive and Steve Irwin/Fred Daly Avenue and the one proposed for Whitlam.
“The community is also waiting for meaningful progress to start on the Coombs, Wright and Whitlam Village centre sites,” he said.
“All progress is welcome, but the community’s patience will wear thin if we’re subject to another four years of delays and broken promises.”
A DA for an estate development plan for the Coombs/Wright village is still being assessed. The Suburban Land Agency is still to complete its expression of interest in the land sale process so it can select a developer.
The Aldi store will front Gornall Street and sit behind the multi-storey Stage 1 of the Koko development facing John Gorton Drive, and containing the Woolworths Metro.
The plans show the building is connected to underground levels via stairs, a lift and a travelator down to the Koko shops. An airbridge connects it to the Koko apartments.
A landscaped communal place with a grassed area, planters, trees and seating is slated for the northern corner of the site.
The loading dock and back-of-house warehouse will be on the southern Gornall Street side of the site.
The DA said the Aldi supermarket would operate from 6 am to midnight seven days a week and trade 7 am to 9 pm every day, with unrestricted loading hours, or a minimum of 7 am to 10 pm every day.
The Koko Molonglo development bounded by John Gorton Drive, Steve Irwin Avenue and Gornall Street is being developed in stages.
In 2023, a DA for a 101-room hotel was approved for 76 Steve Irwin Avenue.
