ALDI to rise on site of successful crisis centre

A crisis accommodation centre trial at Grovedale was so successful that a permanent facility might need more rooms, according to The Salvation Army.
Social housing service regional manager Lisa Dalla-Zuanna said in a media statement that the trial “demonstrated a clear need in Geelong” for crisis accommodation.
“In fact, the program has been so successful we could use more units than we have available at Grovedale,” she said.
The Salvos have run the trial at a former Grovedale Motel on Torquay Road but Geelong councillors last week agreed to put on public display an ALDI application for a supermarket on the site.
The application will go to state Planning Minister Justin Madden for approval.
Ms Dalla-Zuanna said the Salvos were now investigating options for a permanent centre.
“We have known all along that the service could not continue indefinitely in the current location,” she said.
The owners of the motel site, Fagg Bros, was working with the Salvos on “the next stage in this program”.
Fagg Bros director Keith Fagg said the Salvos’ lease expired in 2010 after a five-year extension.
Mr Fagg said his company had been “very pleased” to work with the Salvos on the trial.
“We will continue to work cooperatively with them as they continue to develop this service.”