The fate of a proposed shopping complex in Shepparton North is dependent on a decision by the Supreme Court.

The future location of Shepparton’s newest proposed shopping destination, primed to be built at Doody St, was finalised at Greater Shepparton City Council’s June meeting.

It would contain stores such as Woolworths, Dan Murphy’s, Aldi, medical, chemist, some large format retail and childcare fronting Ford Rd — together with an international brand hotel on the gateway corner of Ford Rd and the highway, and 64 units of affordable housing for key staff requested by the government.

Doody St, also known as Doody Crt, was determined by council to be not required for public use, and was discontinued as a road.

Council determined that the land within Doody St should be sold to Lascorp Investment Group Pty Ltd, and consolidated with the land next to it — 221-229 Numurkah Rd, Shepparton — which Lascorp already owns.

According to Lascorp’s upcoming projects listed on its website, the consolidated land is set to become a Shepparton North shopping complex.

However, before anything can be constructed, Lascorp is awaiting the outcome of a case in the trial division of the Supreme Court between IGA Retail Services Pty Ltd & ANOR and the Minister for Planning & ORS.

Justice Michelle Quigley, who is hearing the matter, had questions of law that needed to be dealt with by the Court of Appeal.

A hearing of the matter was held in the Court of Appeal on May 29; however, the court hasn’t set a date yet for the judgment to be handed down.

Lascorp executive chairman Michael Lasky confirmed Lascorp still intended to build the shopping complex and the project was “shovel ready”.

“The people of Shepparton North have been waiting 10 years for this,” Mr Lasky said.

“For one reason or another it hasn’t happened yet.

“We’re just waiting on the outcome of a Supreme Court action to be able to obtain the green light to proceed.”

Mr Lasky said Lascorp was working with council in relation to the closure of Doody St, which would support the development.

At the council meeting, Cr Sam Spinks moved the motion and said the consolidation of Doody St with the Numurkah Rd land had been in the works for quite a while, and the road had since been deemed “unrequired” by council.

“It was identified by the surrounding landowner that this parcel owned by council would be of value to them and could be consolidated,” she said.

“It was just sitting on no-one’s radar, until it became of use to the proposed landowner.

“It makes sense for it to all be one parcel of land ... we weren’t really going to do anything with it anyway.”

There were also discussions at the meeting about whether council use a financial sale, or works in kind delivered by Lascorp of equivalent market value of the road, which was valued by council at $545,000 as of June 2025.

“I’m comfortable with the expertise and knowledge of the staff who have suggested that we move forward with (works in kind),” Cr Spinks said.

“I think this is a good outcome for the council and the proposed landowner.”

Cr Kieron Eddy, who seconded the motion, said he had “no problem” consolidating the land; however, he had an issue with works in kind being completed for the sale.

Cr Eddy joined Cr Anthony Brophy as the only votes against.

Cr Brophy had concerns with council potentially selling the road for works in kind.

“I lack the confidence of this getting done for the community benefit,” he said.

Cr Geoff Akers and Cr Fern Summer agreed with concerns, with Cr Summer saying the term ‘in kind’ could be a little vague when it came to timelines, outcomes and costs.

City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali said a ‘works in kind’ discussion needed to happen, and council was only dealing with the consolidation and sale of the land.

The consolidation passed with votes from Crs Akers, Summer, Sali, Spinks, Steven Threlfall and Rod Schubert supporting the motion.

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Sunday, 15th December 2024

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