Demolition of Stirling Woolworths to start soon after massive fire

An Adelaide Hills town is grappling with parking problems after a $25m fire at the Woolworths shopping complex.

A council has revealed there will be “long-term” parking impacts across Stirling after a fire ravaged through an Adelaide Hills shopping centre last month, as the town grapples with parking problems.

Adelaide Hills Council has confirmed demolition of the Stirling Village Mall – which was home to a Woolworths, Baker’s Delight, butcher and other stores – would “soon commence”, but the affect on the community would be ongoing.

“Initial demolition will soon commence to ensure stability and safety on the site so that fire investigators and engineers can enter the building for a more complete assessment of the site, including the full extent of damage,” the council said in a statement.

However, with the loss of about 100 parks as the Woolies’ carpark is closed off, and people flocking to the nearby Foodland instead, the Stirling Hotel is dealing with a sudden surge at its undercover parking area.

A spokeswoman from the nearby Stirling Hotel told The Advertiser that she had noticed more foot traffic in the venue’s carpark since the fire.

The full undercover parking area for the Stirling Hotel and Foodland.

The undercover parking area for the Stirling Hotel and Foodland, which is now one of the main parking areas in the village.

“There’s definitely more people going to the Foodland next to us, but we have the carpark here as well that’s been getting busy. We haven’t noticed any major issues though.”

She said locals were still using the Woolworths carpark, part of which was re-opened some time last week.

Council said it was aware “availablity of parking spaces” had been affected.

“The impact on parking for businesses is front of mind with availability of parking spaces being impacted by the safety perimeter set up around the site to manage current instability of the building,” it said.

“Parking impacts are likely to be long term and council is considering a number of options to assist with parking requirements for those affected businesses.”

The council “stressed” initial works are “only about making the property as safe and secure as possible”.

Locals doing their grocery shopping in the Stirling Woolworths on October 15 were ushered out of the building by staff when fire alarms went off, with the building engulfed in flames in a matter of minutes.

Smoke was seen billowing from the building. Picture: Morgan Sette

Fire then engulfed the outside of the centre. Picture: Morgan Sette

Images released by police revealed the extent of the damage, which is estimated to be about $25m.

One of the fire-damaged trees near the Woolies that was destroyed by a $25m blaze at Stirling.

Two boys were charged over the incident, with police investigating the circumstances surrounding the fire.

The council said trees next to the building would also have to be removed after being “significantly fire affected”.

“The demolition will include the removal of two large trees that are immediately adjacent to the southeastern corner of the front of the building, that had previously grown through the building structure and have been significantly fire affected.”

Trees across the road from the shopping centre in the area outside the Stirling Library have also been damaged, but had already shown signs of recovery.

“Council staff are currently in the process of assessing the extent of impacts to tree health and will be implementing a variety of treatments to improve the trees’ growing conditions.

Damage inside Woolworths at Stirling, which was destroyed by fire. Picture: Supplied

Approximately 100 firefighters were called to battle the blaze. Picture: SA Country Fire Service (Facebook)

“You are likely to see an increased watering regime and other soil improvement measures.”

More than 100 firefighters were called to battle the blaze, with about 80 people coming forward to provide information to police about what they saw.

During a press conference after the fire, Inspector Gene Vaninetti said police had seen increasing numbers of incidents involving young people using aerosol cans to light fires.

“We’re not sure where it’s come from, whether that be online or elsewhere … but we do have concerns coming into fire danger season and the warmer months, specifically in the Hills area,” Insp Vaninetti said.

Two 14-year-old boys were arrested and charged with arson after the incident and are due to appear in court next month.