REVEALED: What's happening with ALDI at Highfields

ALDI has revealed what is holding up the construction of its upcoming Highfields supermarket.

Aldi still hasn't revealed when it will start construction in Highfields, and hasn't even appointed a lead contractor yet.

ALDI has not yet appointed a lead contractor or announced a construction state date for its approved supermarket at Highfields.

The supermarket giant has been locked in a dispute with the Toowoomba Regional Council over its financial liability for key pieces of new infrastructure on Highfields.

A spokeswoman for ALDI confirmed it was still working through the "development approval", despite the new site being approved by the council in December 2017.

A new Aldi supermarket has been approved in Highfields. Picture: Contributed

"At this stage, we are working through the development approval and have not yet appointed a contractor for construction," she said in a statement.

"We have not secured a date for construction to commence, but we will continue to keep the community updated as our plans progress.

"We know there is demand in the Highfields community for an ALDI store, and we look forward to offering local residents high quality products at everyday low prices.

"Once open, ALDI Highfields will also be supported by a team of 15-20 full and part-time employees, providing a rewarding career opportunity in retail."

According to reports on the council's property development portal, ALDI is appealing its approved request for a negotiated decision notice.

While the negotiated decision notice raised several smaller issues around bulk earthworks, landscaping and footpaths, the major sticking point was ALDI's refusal to construct and pay for a new roundabout on Highfields Rd.

"Firstly, it is important to point out to council officers that council has been collecting infrastructure charges for the upgrade of Highfields Rd," Planit Consulting's Bede Emmett wrote in early 2018.

"Council is burdening ALDI with the full cost of constructing a single lane roundabout, including relocation of services.

"Council has been collecting funds for the Highfields Rd upgrade including relocation of services and is now requesting ALDI to construct part of this infrastructure. This is clearly unreasonable.

"The intersection works clearly benefit the wider community, not only the ALDI Store."

No public reference of a case in the Planning and Environment Court exists specifically between the two parties.

Both Mr Emmett and planning and development chair Cr Chris Tait have been contacted for comment.

Originally published as REVEALED: What's happening with ALDI at Highfields