Carl’s Jr Dubbo DA approved with $650,000 condition

A $4 million proposal to open a global burger joint in regional NSW has been approved, but the developers behind it have been asked to pay up. FIND OUT WHY.

The Carl's Jr store at Bateau Bay on the NSW central coast.

Dubbo Regional Council has given the green light to a proposed $4 million Carl’s Jr and Mobil Service station development in the city — but it’ll only go ahead if the developer hands over more than $650,000.

The Stevens Group lodged an application to develop the site at the corner of Hawthorn and Cobra Streets in September last year and council approved it last week.

Dubbo residents are waiting for Carl’s Jr to open.

Before Carl’s Jr and Mobil can open at the site, the council has said 57 conditions need to be met and one of those has got Stevens Group development director Jason Capuano concerned.

Council wants a $649,344 “contribution” to help pay for road works expected to be needed as a result of the development’s approval.

In a letter to Stevens Group, the council’s building and development service manager Darryll Quigley said it was estimated the development would result in 1589 daily trips on roads being taken.

For a development like the Carl’s Jr and Mobil one proposed, Mr Quigley said it was council policy to charge developers $408.65 per trip their development generates.

Mayor Ben Shields says Dubbo needs construction. Picture: Dylan Robinson

Mr Capuano said the amount the council was asking Stevens Group to pay was concerning.

“It is a concern and it’s something we’ll be having further conversations with council about,” he said.

“There’s quite a lot of conditions attached to the approval that will take some time to work through.”

Overall, council’s approval of the development was good news, Mr Capuano said.

“It’s a really positive step in the right direction.

“There’s some further design approvals that are required … the in-principle approvals there which is a great first step.”

The council’s approval comes after Transport for NSW raised safety concerns about a proposed left-hand turning lane into the Carl’s Jr and Mobil site.

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Mayor Ben Shields said Transport for NSW delayed the development, but their concerns appear to have been resolved.

“There will be a new turning lane put in, but it’s disappointing that I had to make this argy-bargy public in order to get Transport for NSW to do their job quickly and efficiently,” he said.

“It (the turning lane) will be exactly the same as what Hungry Jack’s has now. It’s a win for Carl’s Jr.

“I was getting worried this was going to drag on for months, particularly when Dubbo needs construction this year.”

Mr Capuano said he still expected the development to proceed, with an opening date for Carl’s Jr likely to be set “before Christmas”.

In addition to the road works contributions, council has asked Stevens Group to pay council $14,000 for water and sewerage expenses.

Stevens Group is entitled to request a review of, or appeal, the conditions imposed by council.