With the clock ticking on grant milestone deadlines under State Government funding, Coonamble Shire Council has moved decisively to progress the long-awaited Coonamble Artesian Bore Baths project.

General Manager Greg Hill confirmed that Council has now endorsed the Masterplan Concept and is advancing the project into detailed design and statutory approval stages, with early works targeted to commence later this year, subject to approvals and funding availability.

Once built, there will be at least six public bore baths across the Western Plains.

The concept design was endorsed at Council’s February meeting, giving approval to proceed to the next phase of development.

“This project has been in discussion since 2008,” Mr Hill said.

“We’ve now returned to the Racecourse Reserve site and we’re focused on delivering it within the funding timeframe.”

The project is supported by $5.5 million under the NSW Government’s Regional Tourism Activation Fund, with Council contributing a further $1.25 million.

Under the funding deed the project must be completed by December 2026, although discussions with the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet indicate an extension to June 2027 may be considered if Council demonstrates clear and ongoing commitment.

Coonamble Mayor Dan Keady said the timeline was challenging but achievable.

“It’s been a long time coming, but we’re now stepping into the detailed design and cost planning phase,” Cr Keady said.

“We need to be proactive and stay on top of milestones to make sure we protect the funding.”

The endorsed concept design includes two artesian bathing pools operating year-round.

A key component of the design is a constructed wetland and cooling system that will treat residual water from the baths before it is stored and reused [IMAGE: COONAMBLE SHIRE COUNCIL].

One pool will be 12 metres in diameter and 1.2 metres deep, holding approximately 126,000 litres, while the second pool will be 10 metres in diameter with a 0.4-metre average depth and accessible beach entry.

To maintain water quality and temperature standards, the baths will operate on a three-times-daily water turnover regime, consistent with similar facilities at Burren Junction and Lightning Ridge.

The broader precinct will include camping sites, cabins, car parking, amenities buildings, a camp kitchen, barbecue shelters, landscaped areas and pedestrian pathways.

Treated water is proposed to be available for irrigation to the nearby racecourse and golf course.

A welcome benefit of the new facility will be its capacity to strengthen local water supply by reducing potable water demand, supporting council's broader water sustainability objectives.

Council has now been formally appointed as the Crown Land Manager for the Racecourse Reserve site, allowing them to progress planning approvals and construction.

Mr Hill said maintaining compliance with funding milestones were critical next steps.

“We’re moving from concept into detailed design, cost estimates and business modelling,” he said.

“The next stage involves finalising development applications, confirming construction costs and preparing a detailed operational business plan.”

Mayor Keady acknowledged that rising construction costs may require careful staging.

“Construction prices have increased significantly since the original funding announcement,” he said.

“We may need to stage the development or seek additional funding for later components, but our focus right now is delivering Stage One within the funding envelope.”

 The Lightning Ridge bore baths opened in the 1960s [IMAGE: GREAT ARTESIAN DRIVE].

 If delivered as planned, the Coonamble Artesian Bore Baths will position the town within the established artesian tourism network of western New South Wales, providing a new wellness and visitor attraction while strengthening local economic resilience.