The decision about whether or not a new Countdown supermarket will be built in Dunedin will soon go to mediation, according to reports from those associated with the proposed project. The mediation sessions could begin as soon as just before Christmas, but they are not expected to be completed until after the first of the year.

The dispute over the supermarket can go after the Dunedin City Council hearings committee who issued consent in November to Countdown’s parent company Progressive Enterprises to build the proposed 3300 square foot market. The market would be located on the currently empty Gordon Road site.

The consent to build came with conditions, some of which Progressive chose to appeal. One of the provisions was for a walkway through the nearly 200-bay car park that would include a canopy to keep patrons dry during inclement weather conditions.

The store’s general manager of property told the local newspaper, the canopy would be expensive and can offer little public benefit to consumers, considering the walkway connects uncovered streets anyway.

According to the hearings committee chairman, the procedure for all resource consent appeals was sent to the Environment Court. Once there received the parties will be encouraged to consider mediation, to which both parties agreed. At this point, parties are trying to make arrangements for the mediation sessions that would give both parties the opportunity to speak their minds and explain their positions. Successful mediation would mean a resolution within the first quarter of the year and movement forward on the supermarket project.