AFTER years of trying, it appears the old Dairy Farmers site in the central business district will be put to use.
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On Wednesday, councillors unanimously voted in favour of a proposal to add serviced apartments, commercial offices and a piazza to the landmark site.
Although the project has been given the green light, consent is subject to more than 30 conditions.
Councillor Monica Morse was the first to praise the proposal, saying it was thoroughly researched and well-presented.
"We couldn't have asked for more information about this really valuable development, so I'm happy to second this motion," she said.
Adding to her comments, councillor Warren Aubin said it was the ideal development for the corner of Bentinck and Howick streets.
"This development is exactly suited to that corner. When people are coming into the city there will be a beautiful building there, instead of this horrible mess that is there at the moment," he said.
It has not been an easy road for those looking to transform the former Dairy Farmers site.
This is the sixth time that a development application (DA) has been lodged in relation to the land since 2007.
A similar proposal that included the construction of 40 serviced apartments, a cafe, retail premises and commercial premises, as well as tower restoration, was approved by council in 2013, but the work didn't eventuate.
And in 2016 council refused another DA for serviced apartments and retaining walls.
Deputy mayor Ian North said council knocked back that DA as the proposal "wasn't quite right, didn't have the right feel", but now council has been presented with a DA that works.
"To me now, with what I've seen and I've read ... I think we've come to the point now with this site that it's a great fit for the city," he said.
He also commended Joss Constructions and the architect involved with the development for working with the neighbours who had raised complaints to ensure they came up with a compromise that would suit both parties.
Now the DA has been approved, the developers will need to start meeting some of the conditions imposed.
One of the conditions is that the developer must prepare, lodge and implement an interpretation strategy that outlines how the built and social history of the site is to be interpreted.
This must be submitted to council before a construction certificate is issued.
