A $4.96M plan to build a new store that could house a new Kmart store at the Aldinga Central Shopping Centre has been lodged with the City of Onkaparinga by the centre's owners, Ashford Holdings (Aldinga).

Under the plan an existing 594m2 area at the existing southern end of the centre would be demolished and replaced by 6200m2 of space for a new Kmart.  The area that would be demolished under the plan currently houses speciality stores.

However, the director of Ashford Holdings, Adam Lucey, says that locals, "shouldn't hold their breath just yet," while waiting for the store, saying it was a long process and that while they were keen and anxious for Kmart to come to the centre the plans are not definite just yet.

Mr Lucey says his company has been in negotiation with Kmart since 2012.

The plan for the category two development can be viewed by the public at onkaparingacity.com until 19 February.

Kmart Australia Ltd is owned by Wesfarmers which also owns Bunnings and Target. Nationally Kmart employs more than 31,000 staff.

The state government announced recently that construction of the new school planned for Aldinga will start later this year. It will open in term one of 2022.