Popular Aussie Veterans Op-Shop in Boronia may be bulldozed to make way for Aldi

A MUCH-LOVED op-shop that supports veterans could be demolished to make way for an Aldi store in Melbourne’s outer east.

Shop manager Fiona Quinn and her husband Mick, a veterans advocate, fear the premises will be torn down to make way for an Aldi store. Picture: Steve Tanner

A MUCH-LOVED Boronia op-shop that supports veterans could be demolished to make way for an Aldi store.

Aussie Veterans Op-Shop manager Fiona Quinn said they were shocked to hear the supermarket chain had requested Knox Council amend its planning scheme to change the zoning of 1-23 Erica Ave.

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Aldi wants the site — which includes the op shop — rezoned from Commercial 2 to Commercial 1 so it can open there.

The proposal would include bulldozing existing shops and the construction of two new shops — a supermarket and a retail premises — at 1-13 Erica Ave.

Mick Quinn, shop manager Fiona Quinn, and volunteer Phil Quinn inside the popular cafe and shop. Picture: Steve Tanner

Ms Quinn said the first she heard of the proposal was when a customer told her after reading the story in the Leader.

She has since contacted the council who told her that when a decision on the rezoning came through, it would tell store occupants.

She said their landlord had not told them about the plans but their two-year lease, which expires next January, had an option to extend it until 2020.

The op-shop has been running for more than 15 years and recently opened The Drop-In Cafe at the back of the shop.

Ms Quinn said they were assessing their options, but if forced to close, they would look to reopen somewhere Boronia.

The shop has been running for more than 15 years. Picture: Steve Tanner

“We don’t want it to fold,” Ms Quinn said. “It is helping too many people.”

“There are over 40 volunteers in the shop and it is a very big part of their life as well, they don’t want to see it go either, because they know they are helping the veteran community.

“Plus the amount of the locals that are in there regularly, they get cheap items they can’t afford anywhere else.”

Knox Council’s city development director Angelo Kourambas said after Planning Minister Richard Wynne had authorised the proposed amendment it would be placed on exhibition for public comment for at least a month, likely to be in September or October.

The public can then make submissions to council.

Several businesses are threatened by Aldi’s proposal. Picture: Steve Tanner

Following exhibition of the amendment, the council will consider any submissions, likely in December.

The council will then change the amendment in the manner requested; refer the submission to an independent planning panel — appointed by Mr Wynne; or abandon the amendment.

Mr Kourambas said a final decision on the proposed amendment may not be made until next year.

An Aldi spokeswoman previously told Leader they were pleased plans were progressing.

Leader tried unsuccessfully to contact the landlord.