Plans for a $45 million tower in Dumaresq Street could be the game changer Campbelltown needs to grow its central business district.
The 14 storey development was approved with three levels of commercial and 11 residential in December 2018
The developer has met with council and is in the process of finalising plans to convert residential levels to commercial office space.
It will now include five storeys of commercial space boasting a NABERS 5.5 energy star rating – the highest is 6 – making it the first of its kind in South West Sydney.
The man behind the vision for this development is local businessman Terry Bassal, who is determined that his Dumaresq Street building will complement Campbelltown Council’s Re-Imagine Campbelltown strategy.
“We want to build something that makes a difference, a building that’s a real game changer,’’ says Mr Bassal.
The original application for redevelopment of the site, which is located between Campbelltown post office and the Dumaresq Street cinema, was lodged by Mr Bassal in late 2016.
When it was given the green light late last year, the development approval was for two levels of commercial space, four for parking and the rest apartments.
A 45 metre height limit was imposed on the development.
“Since we got the approval last year there has been a downturn in the residential market and after undertaking research and meeting with council we decided to go for more commercial space,’’ says Mr Bassal.
“As you know the main street area of Campbelltown [Queen Street precinct] is lacking in new commercial space developments, so it’s not attracting quality tenants,’’ he says.
“That’s where our plans for a 5.5 star rating commercial space could make a big difference and get the ball rolling for Campbelltown’s CBD.
“At the moment there’s no new, quality office space for business to come in to Campbelltown; if you were thinking of operating from Campbelltown, there’s nowhere to go
“Campbelltown is a great city, it has a lot of facilities, it’s well planned; it has things like the arts centre and a major sports stadium.
“If you compare it with Liverpool or Penrith it comes up much better than those other regional centres.
“I bring down my friends from the CBD, some of them are ex bank directors, and show them around places like Park Central, and they are very impressed.
“But we need to keep progressing the heart of Campbelltown, so it’s good to see council initiatives like Re-Imagine Campbelltown, that’s great,’’ Mr Bassal said.
He is hoping council can approve the construction traffic management plan – which was lodged close to three months ago – as soon as possible so work can get under way.
“We were hoping to start demolition this month – we are ready to go,’’ he said.
