Residents relieved as demolition at vacant Giralang shops site begins

ABC Demolition begins at Giralang shops in Canberra's north.

After 10 years of slow decay, demolition has begun at the old Giralang shops site in Canberra's north.

The demolition has some locals relieved, as the neglected building has remained vacant since 2004.

Giralang Residents Action Group Ross Calvert said there had been safety concerns around the abandoned structure.

"It's been eyesore the centre for a number of years now. There's been vandalism, it's been a danger for children wondering in potentially, it's been of concern to the school for quite some time," he said.

"It really is something you don't want in your neighbourhood."

Mr Calvert said a new centre would be good for the surrounding community.

"We would welcome any development that provides a supermarket and accompanying shops," he said.

Meanwhile, a High Court challenge looms over the development of a Woolworths on the site.

A series of proposals for the redevelopment site have been rejected over the past decade.

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Residents relieved as demolition at vacant Giralang shops site begins