Southlakes Estate: First of it’s kind pub plans, by Maas Group Properties
A trendy new pub — which will include a “key difference” to regular pubs — is one step closer to being built in Dubbo. And it’s set to offer opportunity for job seekers.
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A trendy new pub is one step closer to becoming a reality in the central west after a plan to allow for its construction in the Southlakes Estate was endorsed by Dubbo Regional Council.
Developer Maas Group Properties plans to include a gastropub in the soon-to-be constructed Southlakes Neighbourhood Centre shopping and community hub.
Council’s growth planning manager Steven Jennings said the pub was expected to create 26 new full-time jobs and 8 new jobs during construction.
“The key difference between a regular pub and a gastropub is that the gastropub prides itself on the service of quality food,” he said.
“The proposed gastropub will provide for a localised social meeting place that is walkable for those residents living within the Southlakes Estate.”
A social impact assessment conducted by environmental consultancy organisation Umwelt concluded the pub was an appropriate development because of projected population increases and the further expansion of the Southlakes Estate.
Maas Group Properties general manager Steve Guy said initial reaction to the pub plan had been positive.
“A lot of people have wanted to see where it’s going in the estate, which is on Boundary Road within that commercial space,” Mr Guy said.
If the NSW Department of Planning gives council permission, community members will soon be invited to see, and have their say on, proposed changes to local planning rules needed to allow the pub development to proceed.
The pub proposal is part of the final stage of development of the Southlakes Estate, which is expected to be completed in 2026.
At a council meeting on Monday, the Maas Group Properties’ plans to develop the final 400 lots in the 2000 lot estate were given the green light.
Councillors approved a change to minimum-lot size planning rules, which now allows Maas Group Properties to develop the new 400 lots in a mix of sizes which include 600, 800 and 2000 square metres and 100 hectares.
The minimum lot size allowed at the site of the new 400 lots was 1.5 hectares.
“We lodged this planning proposal in 2018, it’s been going for that long because of council amalgamations and public exhibition periods that are required by government legislation,” Mr Guy said.
“It will now proceed to the Department of Planning and then ultimately to the Planning Minister for the amendment to be made to council’s Local Environment Plan.”