The Woolworths-owned liquor merchant has held a lease on the site for more than four years as it moved through different planning authorities.

Mr Corban received approval for a $7million building project at the eastern side of North Wollongong railway station in February 2010.

JBA Planning has now lodged an application on behalf of Cornathu and Cashstar to establish a Dan Murphy’s at the site.

Under the proposal, the liquor giant will be the main ground-floor tenant in a two-storey building that includes more than 4000sqm of shop space.

If approved, work on the complex would likely start mid-year and be completed within 18 months, according to a Woolworths spokeswoman.

It would replace several houses facing Stafford St, a vacant lot and the former Dance World entertainment academy, and would neighbour Wollongong City Motors.

‘‘We are waiting for council to approve minor modifications,’’ Mr Corban said.

‘‘Then we should be able to develop something that would be at least a start to making ugly Flinders St look a little bit more as we would like it.’’

The complex will include at least four other offerings, flagged by leasing agent Graham Belfield, of Jones Lang LaSalle, for a potential supermarket, fruit shop, retail store, bulky goods supplier or bank.

Mr Corban told the Mercury the site might also include a medical centre or a chemist.

The site incorporates five addresses: 4B and 6 Flinders St and 2, 7 and 12 Stafford St, all bought by Mr Corban within the past 10 years.

It includes 167 car parking spaces and proposes liquor store trading hours from 9am to 8pm Monday to Wednesday; 9am to 9pm Thursday to Saturday and 10am to 7pm Sunday.

A development application for the complex was first lodged on September 19, 2007, then approved on February 12, 2010.

Work was held up by the RTA, which had concerns about allowing an entry and exit from busy Flinders St.