Bathurst Regional Council previously gave the green light to a new café area at the old mill in lower Piper Street, following extensive restoration by XJS World.

And councillors last week approved the use of the ground floor and mezzanine levels as a retail market and a section of the ground floor as a cellar door sales area.

The mill was built in 1906 and later used as a works depot by Southern Mitchell County Council. It sat idle for more than a decade before XJS took over the site.

Councillor Bobby Bourke said the redevelopment was a great boost for the region.

“There is a lot more work to be done but once it’s finished, it will be one of the best things to go to in Bathurst,” he said.

“It’s just good for Bathurst to have people who will spend a lot of time and money to preserve part of our history.”

Cr Jess Jennings agreed, saying similar properties in Sydney would have been snapped up long ago and converted to units.

“This is a rare opportunity for our region to have a property like this converted for an industrial use,” Cr Jennings said.

Cr Gary Rush said XJS World had shown a lot of confidence in the region’s future.

“I congratulate them not only for their contribution to the heritage of Bathurst but also on contributing what would be a substantial financial investment in Bathurst,” he said.

Earlier, Crago Mill proprietor Glenn Todd used public question to thank council for its support during the development application process.