Tip retail shakeup

Jessica Benton
Commercial developments at St Leonards and Indented Head are set to shake up the retail industry on the tip of the Bellarine Peninsula, according to a community group.
IGA Supermarket Group has purchased land on St Leonards’ Murrodoc Road, with plans of eventually establish a grocery store.
The store would be the second supermarket for the coastal town.
Indented Head General Store has secured approval to expand its convenience shop and post office – the town’s only retail businesses.
St Leonards Progress Association was wary of the St Leonards supermarket plan.
President Graeme Collins said he had “only heard rumours” about the new supermarket until the Independent confirmed the plan this week.
“Then the new supermarket would provide a lot of competition in the town for the already-existing supermarket, he said.
“With the likely slowing of the dollar and real estate industry, it could be that both of these businesses could be battling for a dollar.
“In the next two years or even longer business could be a little slow, so this is going to have a knock-on effect for the tourist, retail and real estate industries.”
However, Mr Collins welcomed the nearby Indented Head General Store development.
“My observation is it would be timely for the Indented Head development to take place,” he said.
“Indented Head is a growing centre, especially during holiday times, but I’m not sure St Leonards is in need of a second supermarket at this stage.”
A City spokesperson confirmed IGA Supermarket Group had approached council about plans for a second supermarket at St Leonards.
The spokesperson said the company had yet to apply for a permit from council to develop the business.
Council had issued a planning permit for the Indented Head store site, at 313 The Esplanade, in January for a convenience shop and four dwellings.
The owner must complete the project in two years, the spokesperson said.
The proponents of either development did not want to comment.