By the end of November 2022 Dubbo will have 72 new apartment spaces in the CBD, with 1 Church Street expected to be completed.
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Co-developers John and Kevin Walkom and Gerry Harvey launched the website for the development last week, showcasing the apartments and design of the development, as well as calling for expressions of interest.
Demolition at the site and preparation for building is expected to start in mid-August.
The plans for 1 Church Street were announced in November 2017. It will feature 13 levels, including 72 apartments on 10 upper levels, communal facilities and retail outlets on its raised ground level and parking on its two lowest floors.
Council approved the development application for the $34 million retail and residential development complex in December 2018.
Co-developer John Walkom said they had done their research which suggested the main interest had been from local and regional residents.
"Then from that you will no doubt get some interest from investors, whether they live in or out of the region," Mr Walkom said.
"When you look at all the economic activity that is planned to happen int eh city, we need to boost our housing numbers. Even with the current construction, the residential housing that is passing all sorts of records, we still have a shortfall in being able to supply residential dwellings.
Mr Walkom said they saw their being two main groups interested in the development - those looking to downsize and those in the professional market.
"The way we see it, those that wish to downsize will have something to downsize into, and it will be a turn key operation, you just move in and if you want to go somewhere you lock and you go. You aren't worrying about someone having to look after yards and gardens and that sort of thing.
"Then you have the professional market.
"Dubbo is certainly becoming that capital of western NSW in the delivery of government services, in particularly around health and education and planning. So with that you have the professional people that want something in the heart of the CBD, close to all the amenities with some magnificent views," he said.
Mr Walkom said it was the locals driving development in the city.
"If you look at the development that's taking place in the city right now its driven by 80-90 per cent of locals.
"I think that's an important thing to acknowledge, because when you have locals doing this, it increases the employment opportunities for workers but particularly for self employed people, and that's what drives the economy and increases individual involvement in the city."
He said while they had been 'quite happy' with the process up until now, he did believe that councils needed to shorten the timeline for the planning process.
"It needs to be stream-lined, made a bit quicker, I think that will certainly help."
But Mr Walkom said he also understood there were a number of reasons that it could be taking longer.
"They could be swamped, they don't have the resources there, and with whats happening in the state at the moment it could be hard to find people with those relevant qualifications.
"[During our process] council came back to us in a timely manner each time, and asked questions. Any delay would have been the length of time for us to get back to council with those replies which came through from the consultants, who are also very busy at the moment."
A display suite, fitted out as a full sized one bedroom unit, will open early in July near Best and Less. Apartment pricing will be finalised early next week, with those who have expressed an interest email with floorplans and price lists in the coming week.
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