It was the site of a tent village during the Great Depression, the home of a major Air Force stores base during World War II, and once famously hosted a Silverchair concert.
Now, the former Dubbo Royal Australian Air Force Stores Depot is being redeveloped.
Mark Stanford, director of Andorra Developments, said its proposed residential and business hub had been nine years in the planning.
"There's been quite an extensive planning and approvals process," Mr Stanford said.
The project was given the go-ahead by the Dubbo Local Council in 2019 but did not receive the final approval, called a Section 60, from Heritage NSW until June 25.
Trees cleared from site
The first part of the project has involved the removal of 700 trees from the site.
They were part of a cypress forest that helped to camouflage the stores base during the war.
"The trees that are being cleared have been identified as lower value trees, not specifically contributing to the biodiversity," Mr Stanford said.
"Some of the trees are also at the end of their life stage."
A 10-hectare section of the forest has been retained at the centre of the site, and Mr Stanford said that area will be improved and maintained for biodiversity purposes.
The next stage of construction will employ about 200 people in Dubbo and will involve building infrastructure including roads and stormwater works.
The development should be completed by Christmas.
"Businesses will be able to start moving in and using those old WII hangars. Some of those are quite impressive business spaces," he said.
Rock'n'roll history
Since its construction in the 1940s, the site has played a significant part as a cultural space in Dubbo.
At various times it has hosted art shows, been a performance space, and leased to private businesses for storage.
It was also known for hosting rock group Silverchair for a Triple J concert in 1997.
Dubbo musician Clinton Hoy was there.
"It was the biggest thing that I had ever seen in Dubbo and I wondered what international artist would play there next," he said.
The concert was a one off. However, it did help another Dubbo band, Drown, get its start.
"The opening act was Drown who won Triple J Unearthed," Mr Hoy said.
Three of those members went on to found the band Thirsty Merc which has sold over 200,000 albums.
