Cr Mike Neoh said the tavern/restaurant at Northpoint Shopping Centre was first approved in August 2006 and had spanned four councils while Cr Peter Sycopoulis said there had been "extension after extension".

Councillors voted unanimously to approve a planning permit amendment which alters the floor plan of the project as well as adds spaces for electric car chargers and rainwater tanks.

Cr Sue Cassidy suggested two changes to the conditions - one in relation to a people and pets area, and the other that signage contains no flashing lights or reference to a hotel.

She said she had made the changes to the recommendations because she was worried about the goalposts being changed with the development.

Cr Cassidy said adding the word hotel to the signage had concerned a lot of residents.

"It changes the way people look at this development. No longer is it a quiet restaurant but more of a noisy hotel in a residential area," she said.

"I have no idea if this was what the developer was thinking but it is the thoughts of lots of others.

"It's time for this development to be completed. I think it has gone on long enough. The owners need to look at the permit dates and get it finished."

Cr Neoh said he had concerns about the outdoor area and asked if it was code for a smoking area, an outdoor event area or an outdoor bar. "We don't know," he said.

Cr Kylie Gaston also said it was time to "stop moving goalposts" and get the project finished.

"I think the residents have had a construction site in their street for far longer than would be usual," she said.

"It must be finished by August 2021. I'm sure many people in the neighbourhood would enjoy having a restaurant there but they'd like to sit down for dinner sooner than later."

Cr Robert Anderson said construction had gone on too long and residents in the area were keen to see the project completed.

In calling for the project to be completed, Cr David Owen listed a number of events that had happened in 2006 when the project was first approved - the death of Steve Urwin, Peter Brock hitting a tree, the Beaconsfield mine collapsed and Work Choices legislation came into effect.

"All these things happened but we've still got this building sitting there, so let's get it finished," Cr Owen said.

Cr Sycopoulis said if it was him or anyone else in the room "we'd be getting the hurry along quick smart".

Mayor Tony Herbert said it was hard when business and residential areas were so close together.

He said the restaurant would be a great addition to the area when completed and was hopeful and positive about it being completed within the timeframes.

"It really needs to move along," he said.

The developer was contacted for comment.

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