Developers of an approved $53 million retail and accommodation complex at Dubbo expect building works will not start until at least the end of this year.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
John Kosseris said Penrith Mega Homebase's next step would be to obtain a construction certificate for its Riviera Shopping Centre.
The family believed this would take a minimum of three to four months, he said.
The prospect of a wait did not faze Mr Kosseris who was celebrating the approval of the development application (DA) on Friday by the Western Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP).
He talked readily about the plans for the five-storey complex on Dubbo's former John Oxley Motel site and neighbouring lots.
The one-time owner of the former Dubbo RAAF base made big claims for the Riviera Shopping Centre.
It would allow full revitalization of the city's central business district (CBD) on completion, he said.
While no signings were announced yet, four major tenants and 24 specialty shops were part of the plans.
"We believe this new, exciting shopping centre will be a one-stop shop with four major retailers and a retail level of more than 14,500 square metres," he said.
"In regard to specialty shops, we are currently negotiating with a lot of new shops... not yet seen in Dubbo, in clothing as well as specialty shops, which we believe Dubbo has been missing out on for some time."
There was also a hint from the developer about level three's make-up.
Penrith Mega Homebase was negotiating with two major tenants, one of which wished to open a restaurant at the back of their tenancy to become part of their department store, Mr Kosseris said.
The complex will also include 930 car spaces, "Sydney-style office accommodation" with parking directly below, motel rooms, residential apartments, food court and alfresco dining options seven days a week. Mr Kosseris said the design was comparable to complexes found in capital cities.
It would allow shop-top housing occupants and motel patrons to take the lift directly to the complex's retail floor without stepping on to the street.
"It will be a big plus, especially for elderly people, something Dubbo hasn't seen before," Mr Kosseris said.
The project also had a woman's touch.
Mr Kosseris said Riviera Shopping Centre was the vision of his wife, Trish, and was named by her.
Real estate agent Laagan Whalan pronounced that the planning system worked after the JRPP's decision on Friday, less than four months after the DA was lodged with Dubbo City Council.
It had been a long journey for all parties involved, he said.
"To get a heads-of-agreement signed without a DA was hard but we did it," he said.
"I would like to congratulate the Kosseris family for what they've done and how hard they've worked and it's been great doing it with them."