Aldi has revived plans to redevelop the Caringbah Marketplace site.
The supermarket giant requested new talks with Sutherland Shire Council after an earlier proposal proved unacceptable to the council.
Mayor Carmelo Pesce said the council was willing to engage with the constructive talks about the site, which adjoins a council-owned public car park.
Aldi gave little away when the Leader sought comment.
“We are eager to bring our unique shopping experience to more residents, and as such are committed to opening a store in Caringbah,” a spokeswoman said.
“We will update the community as our plans progress.”
The shopping centre closed in July, 2012, and has been deserted since.
Aldi bought the property in 2014 and subsequently proposed a development that included 58 apartments above a shopping centre, linked by an air bridge to a multi-level car park on the council car park site.
Under the plans, one level of the car park would have been for Aldi customers and the remainder for public parking.
However, the council and Aldi could not reach agreement on the financial arrangements.
Cr Pesce said at the time, “The ball is in Aldi’s court”.
“Aldi has the opportunity to come to the party, but at this stage we are not going to do anything further.”
Caringbah Marketplace, with 23 speciality shops and a supermarket, was a major attraction when it opened about 36 years ago, but the number of empty shops gradually increased in the 10 years before its closure and the sale of the property.
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