High-rise living in Dubbo is set to become even higher with the developers of No. 1 Church Street given approval to extend the building's height to 15 storeys by adding two more floors to the CBD complex.
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The building, which is currently under construction, is set to be the tallest apartment complex this side of the Blue Mountains.
The original design included 13-storeys however this month, under delegated authority, Dubbo Regional Council approved another 10 apartments being added over two floors.
The new floors will house premium suites, just below penthouse and sub-penthouse levels, with apartment prices yet to be locked-in.
Once completed the building, with a revised budget of $40 million, will have 80 apartments.
The development is the brainchild of Dubbo-based John Walkom, his brother Kevin and friend retail giant Gerry Harvey.
John Walkom said 75 per cent of the apartments have already been sold with prices ranging from $495,000 for a one bedroom unit to $1.775 million for the three-bedroom penthouse.
He said the majority of buyers are from Dubbo and the surrounding area.
John Walkom, who has been friends with Mr Harvey for more than 36 years, said while there had been some delays in the construction process, things were now progressing well.
"We're pretty much on track with everything; they're just doing the excavation and then we will start laying the granite base," he said.
"The in-ground work will run right through to the middle of July."
He said construction work is expected to be completed by December, 2024, ready for occupation in 2025.
"By the end of this year you'll start to see the structure emerging out of the ground," he said.
According to John Walkom the development will put an emphasis on Dubbo's CBD and the advantages of CBD living including having close access to the city's services and amenities.
"It will show Dubbo's maturity as the capital of regional NSW," he said.
"It's going to be pretty special.
"We've put a focus on the design, this is not just concrete boxes which some apartments can look like."
He admits the project hasn't been straightforward at a time when the construction industry is facing a number of challenges and additional checks and balances.
He said he welcomed the new changes which aim to add an additional level of accountability for everyone involved in the construction sector.
"We now have a building commissioner so there's another level of process and that's a very positive thing," he said.
"The legislation that revolves around that gets rid of the cowboys in the industry and that ensures quality for the purchaser."
Bob Berry Real Estate's Jane Donald said she is pleased things are progressing well with the project.
"We follow the sentiments of the developer that it is exciting to see the build commence," she said.
Tracey Prisk
I am a writer on the national property team and I cover real estate news in Orange, Bathust, Dubbo, Wagga and the Blue Mountains. I was previously the editor of the Central Western Daily for six years and before that worked as the CWD's chief of staff. During this time I also wrote feature stories for Country Style magazine. Before joining ACM I was a film writer and reviewer at the Sunday Telegraph. I was previously the editor of the film and television magazine Encore and also wrote for Broadcast Engineering News.
I am a writer on the national property team and I cover real estate news in Orange, Bathust, Dubbo, Wagga and the Blue Mountains. I was previously the editor of the Central Western Daily for six years and before that worked as the CWD's chief of staff. During this time I also wrote feature stories for Country Style magazine. Before joining ACM I was a film writer and reviewer at the Sunday Telegraph. I was previously the editor of the film and television magazine Encore and also wrote for Broadcast Engineering News.
