New Warburton IGA supermarket approved by Yarra Ranges Council

A new state-of-the-art supermarket fully stocked with a range of fresh produce is coming to Warburton, in a huge boost for the Yarra Valley town.

A new $7m IGA supermarket development Warburton.

A new $7m state-of-the-art IGA supermarket is coming to Warburton, in a huge boost for the Yarra Valley town.

Yarra Ranges Council has approved a plan for the modern new supermarket at 3466 Warburton Highway, which will eventually replace the existing constrained IGA in the town.

The new supermarket – which will be five times the size of the current IGA – will offer shoppers a greater range of groceries and create new jobs in the town. It will also see the creation of 65 new car parks.

Warburton IGA owner Shane Wyles said he was “really pleased” the council had supported the development.

“We’ve been working closely with council over a long period of time,” he said.

“They have been very supportive which has been greatly appreciated.

“(The new supermarket) will be absolutely fantastic.”

Mr Wyles said the new IGA would be “a modern full service supermarket” offering everything from basic groceries through to some gourmet items.

“We’re really excited about it,” he said.

There will be full service departments within the store including a bigger deli and ready to eat meals, and freshly cut meats.

The current site above and the new look supermarket below.

Mr Wyles said he hoped the new supermarket would be a big boost to Warburton.

He said he had heard anecdotally that new supermarkets in other regional areas, including

Cockatoo and Creswick, had helped to revitalise those towns.

“We’re confident it will be successful in terms of our business but also successful for the town.”

The new development also incorporates the pharmacy.

“People will be able to park at the pharmacy and wander up to the supermarket and vice versa,” Mr Wyles said.

Shane Wyles pictured in 2016. Picture: Steve Tanner

The new IGA will be built diagonally across the road from where the current store is at the moment.

Mr Wyles said it would take 12 months to build the new supermarket, and he was hopeful work would start by the end of this year or early next year, but it was dependent on a number of factors, including being able to meet a number of conditions of the permit.

He said it was also a fairly difficult site to build on, because of its steepness.

Mr Wyles said they had also sought feedback from the local indigenous community and significant features on the new supermarket building would reflect the indigenous heritage of the area.

He said he had received a lot of great feedback from customers looking forward to the new store.

He said the IGA had been strong supporters of the local community, with donations to sporting clubs and charities.

“We’re proud of how we give back to the community and thankful for their support,” he said.