The owners want to know the interest in the two blocks next to the Milestone Hotel within a month.

Selling agent Andrew McDonald will court national retailers to buy the Macquarie Street and Bultje Street sites, but would not confirm if Kmart, Aldi or Harris Farm Markets were in his sights.

The sale of the blocks, which have an area of more than 5400 metres squared, will be by expressions of interest and Mr McDonald would not put a figure on their value.

The experienced agent called it “arguably the largest site offered in Dubbo’s CBD in a generation”.

Mr McDonald said any new development was always a shot in the arm for the city.

His negotiations with parties interested in the former Dubbo RAAF base continued, he said.

Both the Macquarie and Bultje Street sites have previously featured in the Dubbo City Development Corporation’s (DCDC) plans to strengthen the city’s retail offerings.

DCDC general manager Rorque Poisson also hosted a Kmart official on a tour of the city two years ago.

Mr McDonald began advertising 199 Macquarie Street and 13 Bultje Street this week and said there would be a national marketing campaign.

“There could be national retailers that consider constructing their own premises there, or more likely a reasonably substantial development company,” he said.

He would not confirm if he would approach three retailers touted for Dubbo in the past - Kmart, Aldi or Harris Farm Markets.

“All those who inquired about the former RAAF base will be made aware of these properties,” he said.

The two blocks together measuring about 5481 square metres are currently zoned Regional Business - the same as the rest of the CBD, Mr McDonald said.

The prominent blocks had potential for retail, office and hospitality uses, he said.

Should the properties gain a new owner who developed them, it would be significant for the city, Mr McDonald said.

“Such a large and visible site, everyone would welcome development, it has about 43 metres of frontage on Macquarie Street,” he said.

“It would remove a significant gap in the main street landscape and because of the size, any development could be quite significant in terms of development costs and employment opportunities during construction and afterwards.

“It breeds more confidence to other developers and investors coming into the town.”