It has been confirmed that plans to build a tower that would eclipse even No.1 Church Street as Dubbo's tallest building have now been scrapped.
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Developers MAAS Group received permission from the Dubbo Regional Council to build 'The Liberal', a 15-storey hotel, residential, and commercial hub at the former site of The Daily Liberal, in October 2022.
MAAS Group development director Michael Noonan told The Daily Liberal that the 6000 square metre site will now go in a different direction.
"At the moment, The Liberal will not be proceeding according to the plan that was approved by the Dubbo Regional Council," Mr Noonan said.
"However, we are reevaluating our options for what can be established at that location."
Located at 216-236 Macquarie Street, adjacent Dubbo Square, the proposal included a $65 million price tag and would have revitalised the land surrounding the former Bank of New South Wales building.
The development would have included:
- Eight commercial ground floor tenancies,
- a hotel consisting of 162 rooms from the ground floor to level eight,
- shop top housing consisting of 41 apartments located from level nine to level 14,
- the refurbishment of the existing Bank Hotel for continued use as a pub,
- demolition of the Old Bank Music Shop, and
- the construction of a brick driveway that would have served as an extension of Bank Street.
Earlier development applications for the site, lodged in 2018, had a price tag as high as $115 million.
The two-storey office building that occupied the site was demolished in late 2017, while MAAS Group acquired the site for just over $7 million in November 2021.
Mr Noonan outlined the challenges facing the development when he spoke to The Daily Liberal in June 2024.
"Since getting development approval we have undertaken numerous cost planning and design reviews as well as work with potential tenants to try and get the right balance," Mr Noonan said.
"The unprecedented increase in construction costs over the past few years has had a significant impact."
Dane Wilson
Dane Wilson is a journalist based in Dubbo. He is interested in sport, history, politics, people stories, and much more. If you have a story, contact him at Dane.wilson@austcommunitymedia.com.au and 0409 960 178. Instagram: danewilson2002.
