“The process is moving along,” said architect and project manager, Emmanuel Lipski.

Earlier timetables for construction and opening of the multi-million dollar complex have been pushed back while stakeholders work through the approvals process and engineering alternatives.

Estella Progress Association president Graham Cotter said a community meeting last week was told the number of construction tenders being considered had been reduced to two.

“At the moment, we have not been told a time frame,” Mr Cotter said.

“The community really just wants to see it under way as soon as possible so the residents can support it and use it.”

A supermarket and a Chemist Warehouse will be major drawcards of the complex, which is also expected to include a takeaway food shop, a butchery, a hair and beauty salon and other retailers.

A childcare centre and a gymnasium are also part of the planned mix of tenancies.

Chemist Warehouse managing partner, Tony Bassaly, said his company was still committed to opening at Estella.

“We are eager to come to Wagga still and looking forward to it,” Mr Bassaly said.

The Estella shopping centre will be built at the corner on Avocet and Rainbow drives.

It is expected to service not only Estella residents, but also be handy for Charles Sturt University students living on campus and residents of the Boorooma neighbourhood.

Mr Lipski confirmed two building tenders had been shortlisted.

An amended development application was lodged with council some months ago essentially seeking approval to develop the 1.3-hectare site in one stage instead of two.

The change also necessitated some re-engineering in respect of a retaining wall.

A shopping centre at Estella, one of Wagga’s fastest growing neighbourhoods, has been mooted for a number of years.

The centre is expected to open for business about a year after construction starts.