Dubbo Observatory owner Peter Starr says Dubbo Regional Council's plan to increase housing on Camp Road will "spell the end" for his business.
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Council is currently looking at the zoning of Dubbo's Camp Road, to ensure it meets the needs for the city's long-term future. The biggest change is to allow more residential housing in what is currently a tourist area.
It includes two areas for subdivision. One with a minimum lot size of five hectares and the other with a minimum of three.
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Of the 23 submissions council received on the plan, the majority were in favour of the idea.
But for Mr Starr - who purchased the observatory about three years ago - it means his future is uncertain.
His plans to improve the facility are on hold. He's also worried he may never be able to sell the business, and moving it isn't an option.
Mr Starr's biggest concern is that light pollution generated from the proposed housing would affect the viability of the observatory.
"Council's decision will spell the end for our successful business due to the loss of our dark sky," he said.
"If you can't show people the stars, what can you show them? My reputation will go down because it's not a good place to come.
"You set up here, you spend your life savings on it and you want to improve things, but now what's the point? It's all up in the air."
The telescopes are also used for research. But Mr Starr said that would also go.
Council's manager strategic planning services Steven Jennings said council was trying to look after the existing precincts while also allowing for the construction of houses.
He said there would also be restrictions on the lights houses are able to use.
Mr Starr said it was not enough. He said even when lights faced down 30 per cent was still reflected back into the sky.