A $35 million superstore development in Epping looks to have been shelved.
US retailer Costco was given council approval to build a discount supermarket, service station and carpark at 20 Jovic Road in late 2013, but the site remains vacant.
When Star Weekly contacted Costco last week to check on the development’s progress, spokeswoman Kyla White said: “The Epping site is not even on our radar at this point in time.”
Construction of the bulk-item supermarket, tipped to generate 210 jobs, was to begin last year in time for a 2016 opening.
Plans for the site included an optometrist, a hearing centre, photo processing, a café, bottle shop, and tyre sales and fitting site, as well as 746 carparking spaces.
A 2013 Whittlesea council report assessing the economic benefits of an Epping Costco store said it would increase competition in the retail market and create potential savings of as much as 25 per cent for consumers and small businesses as well as providing increased shopping choice.
It was forecast to increase the number of visitors to Epping Centre by up to 700,000 trips each year and create about 475 direct and indirect full-time jobs.
Whittlesea planning and major projects director Steve O’Brien last week said that as with any planning permit, there was no obligation for the applicant to proceed.
“However, since the permit was issued, council has worked with Costco and its consultants … we look forward to the development beginning,” he said.
The Epping development was to be Costco’s third Victorian store.
A new store opens in Moorabbin this week, joining outlets in Ringwood and Docklands.
