Local IGA begins revamp

BARWON Heads IGA’s $10-million redevelopment to double the supermarket’s floor size and build six apartments above the store is underway.

Supermarket owner and director Andrew Maud said the store was excited to turn dirt last month, and expects the project to be completed in February, 2024.

“It’s needed,” Mr Maud said.

“We’re very excited that we can go ahead with it.

“The store needed to grow, we’ve had the same footprint for the last 20 years and we’ve just outgrown it.”

An additional 20 undercover car spaces will also be added to the back of the new store.

Mr Maud said growth within the township had increased the need for a larger supermarket.

“There’s going to be a major focus on fresh foods and local suppliers moving forward,” Mr Maud added.

“The reason for doing that at the moment is right now, in our little store, we support over 40 local businesses by stocking their products in our store and we want to continue to grow that.

“It’s good for everybody, it’s good for us, it’s good for the community and it’s good for the environment given the reduction in transport costs.

“It makes the area more successful.”

Mr Maud reassured that the disturbances to local traffic on Bridge Road will be minimal, with pre-planned traffic management to account for disruptions on the busy single-lane road.

“If there is going to be any disruption, we will have traffic management in place, all alternative avenues have been ticked off,” Mr Maud concluded.

“Our sewerage lines do run directly up Bridge Road which may cause issues when we get to that stage, but other than that it might be as simple as blocking off a footpath.

“It’s important for the town that we get this new supermarket up and running.”

Trading will continue as normal from 8.00am to 8.00pm seven days per week while construction takes place.

Expressions of interests on the sale of apartments are to be directed through Bellarine Property.