Moyne Shire planning manager Michelle Grainger confirmed the permit is recommended for approval, subject to conditions, by shire officers.

Ms Grainger said a report was with councillors, who have five days to decide whether they want to “call it in” to a council meeting for a vote or allow officers to approve it under their powers of delegation.

Daly’s IGA Supermarket Group co-owner Peter Daly said it was great news but he wasn’t getting excited “until the planning permit is on my desk”.

“It got close to being shelved because of the delays,” Mr Daly said.

“But things are positive now.”

A sticking point in the development involved issues surrounding stormwater drainage on the site, which Mr Daly said threatened to blow out the costs of the project until a compromise was reached with the council.

The new supermarket will create 80 jobs, plus more associated with the four additional shops being constructed in an arcade as part of the project. 

The site will also feature 80 car parks.

“I’m the owner and I’m wanting to build the new store, but it’s hard to see a negative,” Mr Daly said.

“There was only one objection to the project out of a town of 2000 people plus the wider (area).

“The town want it, we want it and finally Moyne Shire want it.

“It’s approaching two years … but we knew it wasn’t going to happen straight away.”

Ms Grainger said it was a major development for Koroit.

“As a planning team, we’re quite excited about the development,” she said. “It will provide a good addition to the streetscape once it’s fully constructed.”

She said the drainage issues were important to sort out as the site was going to be “100 per cent paved with building or car park”.

“How the water was collected and dispersed on the site was something that needed to be worked out,” Ms Grainger said.