Residential potential: apartment blocks possible for Allied Mills site

The mill’s owner Allied Pinnacle said it was forced to close the operation, as it was “financially unviable”.

While the site is currently zoned for industrial use, Tamworth mayor Col Murray said council would be “comfortable” with an application to change the zoning to something that would be a “better fit for the CBD”.

“Given the exposure to Marius Street and the size of the frontage, it’s a fairly unique parcel of land in a large regional centre,” Cr Murray said.

“I imagine there would be strong interest for alternative uses. It really is an ideal site for a really broad range of opportunities.”

Cr Murray floated the idea of an “inner-city living” residential development.

“Tamworth is eminently ready people to live in the CBD,” he said.

“The site’s on both sides of the rail line. The land on the high side, where it doesn’t have that high traffic exposure, would be the perfect opportunity for some style of residential apartments.”

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Tamworth Business Chamber president Jye Segboer said it was always sad to see jobs go. However, when one door closed, another door opened.

“It opens up a great opportunity for future development,” Mr Segboer said.

While a large commercial site would be suitable, Mr Segboer also backed the idea of “multi-storey residential apartments”.

“A commercial premises or a residential development would certainly tidy up that strip of Marius Street,” he said.

“That would bring life to the CBD. It’s definitely something that will have great interest from a lot of people moving forward.”

Cr Murray said the factory’s closure showed major industrial operations needed new green sites in the region.

“We’ve seen a lot of investment in that site, and in my mind that confirms it is very difficult to rejuvenate in old industrial buildings in today’s economic climate,” Cr Murray said.

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