Boggabri Civic Precinct

Council recently held a small pop-up community engagement session in Boggabri on Sunday, May 17 as part of the new Community Conversation series.

During the session, many community members asked for an update on the future of the Boggabri Civic Precinct. It was valuable for Council staff to meet face-to-face with residents and hear directly from the community, and we thank those that attended.

What we’ve heard from the community:

• A facility that can support the needs of the Boggabri Community
• A desire to see progress made on the project
• Consistent communication regarding the project

What funding is available for this project:

• Council received $3.2 million in Section 7.12 funding (Developer Contributions) that was specifically allocated for a project benefiting the Boggabri community
• Additional funding is required to deliver the project at the current scope.

Where this project is up to:

• The proposed design that Council currently holds exceeds the available budget.
• Council is reviewing the project scope and investigating options that can be delivered within the available budget.
• This includes reviewing a range of potential options and staged approaches for the site, including what facilities could be delivered now and what improvements or additional amenities may be able to be added in the future through external funding options.
• When these options have been finalised, Council will be presented with the project history, the financial status of the current scope and design, and the newly refined options that better align with the available budget for review and consideration.

How Council will keep the community informed:

• When options have been finalised and are ready for community review, updates will be shared through Council’s digital and printed Your Council newsletter, the Green Flyer, social media and the project’s Your Say page
• Council will also return to Boggabri in October for a second round of Community Conversations.

Council has adopted the Boggabri Open Spaces Master Plan (Option A) and extends its thanks to the Boggabri Community for their feedback and contributions. The Master Plan aims to transform Boggabri Open Spaces into a new, welcoming, and fun place by implementing a range of community, visitor, amenity and access upgrades.

The Master Plan also affirms where the Civic Precinct (separately funded by Council’s Section 7.12 Development Contributions Fund) will be constructed and how it will integrate with the rest of Vickery Park and the surrounding area to ensure increased accessibility, amenity and user experience. The community will have an opportunity to shape the internal elements of the Civic Precinct prior to construction. Works on the Civic Precinct are scheduled to commence in 2025.

Highlights of the adopted plan include:

• A long-term plan for Boggabri, articulating the community’s vision for the area and
  provides a framework for future sustainable community infrastructure.
• Integrated and accessible shared pathway network across the Boggabri Township to provide opportunities for exercise, relaxation, and social interaction.
• A Civic Precinct which is integrated with the surrounding area and will include adequate lighting, and clear sightlines to ensure a safer and more connected area.

The Master Plan was funded by NSW Government's Resources for Regions Fund.