Motorists have been told to expect increased delays at intersections after traffic modelling indicated an extra 250 to 376 car trips during peak hour.

In reality, vehicle numbers are likely to be much lower given that most Target shoppers are expected to come from the attached Mowbray Shopping Market. 

That  could actually alleviate congestion, the traffic report stated. 

Alderman Annette Waddle said the council should be mindful of how the new shopping centre expansion,  which includes five new stores apart from Target, affected retailers along Invermay Road.

She said that ``over my  dead body'' would any more parking spaces be lost to improve traffic flow on surrounding roads. 

Most aldermen who spoke thought any increase in traffic could be mitigated and was a marker of economic growth. 

``If there's traffic in the area, isn't that a good thing? Much better than a ghost town,'' Alderman Rob Soward said. 

Alderman Tony Peck said the council had applied 34 ``good, fair and solid'' conditions for the project to go ahead. 

Deputy Mayor Jeremy Ball said it  would attract more people to Mowbray, benefiting shops along Invermay Road. 

``One criticism I have about the (new Mowbray) Coles  is there's a massive blank wall where pedestrians  walk on that road,'' he said. 

The $25 million proposal, which will be situated on Vermont Road and Jellico Street, was passed unanimously.

 Alderman Hugh McKenzie was absent.