An ‘extraordinary’ number of development applications have been approved by Dubbo Regional Council.
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Between July and the end of November, 349 development applications were approved by council. The total cost of the developments was more than $133 million.
In November alone, 73 applications were given the green light, including the $34 million retail and residential development planned for 1 Church Street.
The mixed-use development will include a restaurant and bar on the ground floor, 57 serviced apartments on floors two to six and 27 shop top housing units on floors seven to 13. There will also be four levels of car parking and a roof terrace.
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“It’s quite extraordinary how well the region is going despite the unprecedented drought. By all indications we should taking a hit but we’re not,” Dubbo Regional mayor Ben Shields said.
Cr Shields said Dubbo economy was diversifying, no longer relying completely on the agricultural sector, which lessened the impact of the drought. There was also an increased confidence in Dubbo from businesses.
“I can only imagine what Dubbo would be if there wasn’t an unprecedented drought,” he said.
I can only imagine what Dubbo would be if there wasn’t an unprecedented drought.
- Ben Shields
November also included approval for four retail buildings worth $1.33 million an education building with an estimated worth of $98,000 and three transport infrastructure applications to the value of $412,500.
However, the most common application approved during November was for garages and carports.
Cr Shields said the city was also experiencing a residential boom.
From the start of the financial year to the end of November, there have been 78 single dwellings approved and 16 multi-unit housing dwellings with a total of 27 units.
“Why wouldn't you want to live in Dubbo?” the mayor said.
In the 2017/18 financial year there were 208 single dwellings approved in the local government area and 58 developments for multi-unit housing.
Between July and November last year there were 344 applications given the tick of approval. Those developments had an estimated combined worth of more than $80 million.
Cr Shields said Dubbo would continue to see large developments coming to Dubbo in 2019.