An architectural representation of the proposed supermarket and central car parking area of the new Cooktown IGA at its new location. Photo: Supplied (TPG Architects)
They say good things come to those who wait, and that certainly seems to be the case when it comes to supermarket baron Graham Cornett’s plan to develop a new IGA in Cooktown.
In what has become a three-and-a-half year process to construct a bigger and better supermarket in the south-eastern Cape York community, Mr Cornett’s Kwikbridge Pty Ltd this month submitted a development application (DA) for the facility to now be sited across adjacent blocks at 83-93 Charlotte Street, 40-44 Adelaide Street and 2-6 Walker Street.
In September 2024, Cook Shire Council approved a DA for the new supermarket to be built at 81 Savage Street, however, Mr Cornett told Cape York Weekly the logistics relating to that site had proved too much of a commercial hurdle.
“The location is a lot better than the Savage Street location,” he explained.
“Because of the gradient of the land … one area just started to become problematic; the more we drew up the centre, the less land I ended up with, and the more problematic it became.
“The [site] in Charlotte Street’s a lot more level, and it’s a lot more workable from a trafficable point of view.”
In addition to a new supermarket Mr Cornett described as “twice as big” as Cooktown’s current IGA, the DA identifies a second, small-scale retail and commercial building “designed to provide opportunities for outdoor dining and … creating an informal plaza area for local residents to utilise”.
Mr Cornett said if everything went to plan, the community could expect to see the first physical stages of the development under way in early 2026.
“I was trying to get it started before the end of this year, but it looks like we’ll probably start turning soil early next year,” he said.
“We’re trying to get it open as quick as we can; it’s been dragging on for way too long.”
The DA will be considered by Cook Shire elected members at a coming ordinary meeting of council, but Mayor Robyn Homes said she believed the new proposed siting represented a better outcome for Cooktown.
“This IGA development proposal is a positive sign for Cooktown, with a new location that’s central, accessible and safer for the community,” she said.
“It’s encouraging to see investment that reflects the growth and confidence in our town.”
The new proposed siting of the Cooktown IGA across several adjacent blocks on Charlotte, Walker and Adelaide streets, which, if approved, will ultimately house a supermarket twice the size of the town’s existing offering. Photo: Cape York Weekly.
