Willows centre to host first of two Townsville Aldi stores

A shopping centre in Thuringowa set to host the first of two Aldi stores in Townsville. See what’s changing.

Am artist's impression of the new southern entrance at Willows.

It’s now official. Aldi is coming to the Willows.

A fit-out for a new store inside the centre is ready to get under way near the southern entrance. After months of speculation, the owners of Willows have confirmed the news.

Willows Centre Manager, Ryan Wheelhouse said: “We are excited to be working with ALDI to bring their store to the Townsville community. We know the community have been excited about this announcement and the great value ALDI offers across its grocery range, including its famous Special Buys.

“The store is set to open later this year and will be located next to TK Maxx, making Willows the only centre north of south-east Queensland to house all three supermarket chains under the one roof.”

Eddie Giraldo is head of retail leasing for Dexus, which owns Willows, and said the company is delighted to be working with Aldi.

“ALDI will bring a new affordable, quality supermarket offering to Willows where customers can continue to enjoy the convenience of having everything they need under one roof. We are committed to delivering the best retail experiences in Townsville,” he said.

Willows is currently undertaking a $5m Southern Entrance Upgrade including enhanced facade and ceiling finishes, new Cafe 63 restaurant and sheltered gardens.

“As part of our continued support to the Townsville community we’re excited to announce the modern upgrade to our Hervey Range Road southern entrance,” the centre says on its website.

Am artist's impression of the new southern entrance at Willows.

“The enhanced facade and ceiling finishes include a combination of artificial and natural lighting making the new breakout seating areas an enjoyable space (to) sit and relax surrounded by the sheltered gardens.”

Construction is well under way for Willows' new southern entrance.

Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper said Aldi would be “most welcome”.

“I think we are well and truly overdue for a third major. In those great words of a former prime minister, it’s time,” Mr Harper said.

Inside the six-aisle Aldi in South Rockhampton

“I have met with representatives from Aldi previously who expressed their desire to come to Townsville. The only issue surrounding that was establishing a distribution centre.”

Sources had said the issue was been overcome by having extra warehousing at the back of stores.

German retailer ALDI has lodged an application with Mackay Regional Council to build a store in Andergrove. Picture: Supplied

But it has been slow going for Aldi in North Queensland

Aldi opened in Rockhampton in 2019 and has lodged plans for a second store there.

At Mackay, plans were lodged with the council in 2021 but construction is yet to start.

Like Townsville, there are plans for a second store in Mackay.

The site for Aldi’s second Townsville store is said to be still being negotiated.

The Kmart centre diagonally opposite Stockland is favoured but Fairfield Central and the Kingsvale site next to Stockland are understood to be options.

Townsville deputy mayor Mark Molachino said he had not seen anything but was keen to see Aldi operating in the city.

“We’d love to see them come. If we can do anything to get more investment in the city, we’d be happy to help them out,” Cr Molachino said.

A Rasmussen resident said she had been told about the Willows store and, mentioning it to friends, found she was the only one who didn’t know.

“That’s going to be competition for Coles and Woolies. I would give them a go. I have shopped (at Aldi) in Melbourne with my brother. I like them,” the resident said.

The opening at Willows is some months away.

Originally published as Willows centre to host first of two Townsville Aldi stores