Le Cornu site preferred developer chosen but not named

reported in November that a consortium involving local developer Buildtec, WA residential developer Peet and the Chapley family – operators of the Pasadena and Frewville Foodland stores – had been selected as the preferred bidders.

Buildtec and Peet did not respond to requests for comment. The Chapley family’s company, Adelaide’s Finest Supermarkets, said it was unable to comment at this stage.

Renewal SA has also pushed back its indicative timeline for when construction will commence on the project, with a spokesperson sayingxjmtzyw it now anticipates works beginning “in late 2022/early 2023”.

Earlier public information from Renewal SA projected works beginning in “mid to late 2022”.

“Once a developer has been appointed, we will build on the engagement undertaken in 2021, and community feedback will be sought on the draft master plan,” the spokesperson said.

Outgoing Treasurer Rob Lucas, who is responsible for Renewal SA, said an announcement from the authority on the preferred developer is “imminent”.

“For the last few weeks, they’ve just been dotting i’s and crossing t’s on the agreement with the preferred proponent they’ve been negotiating with for a few months now,” he said.

Despite appointing a preferred developer, Renewal SA is still advertising on-site for expressions of interest. Photo: Thomas Kelsall/InDaily

“Prior to the election, I had been advised there may well have been a concluded agreement during this particular period leading up to March 19, but the advice we got [on Wednesday] is that it’s not going to happen before the weekend.

“But it’s imminent. It’s highly likely next week or the week after is their estimate at this particular stage.”