Gilgandra is expecting a host of improvements this summer, with the town centre undergoing a complete revitalisation as part of The Mill on Miller Street project. 

The project will see the development of a plaza area linking Gilgandra’s main precinct with the Castlereagh River and Windmill Walk.

Gilgandra Shire Council Marketing and Communications Manager Kathryn Larkin says that the designs are a crucial part of the towns ‘activation blueprint’. 

“The connection through to our main street is a really under-utilised space, so we’re looking to open it up, bring in some more greenery, allow events activation and market stalls.” Ms Larkin said. 

The new space includes a new public toilet block, an event stage area and public art installations. 

While Gilgandra was once considered a hub for smaller towns, the closure of the Target Country store in 2019 brought a need to invite people back to the main street. 

As part of their reactivation plan, council purchased the former Target premises with plans to transform it into a Library and Community Hub. 

“Over the years, the library has expanded and outgrown the space it is in now. We had applied for funding to do upgrades and an extension. When Target closed its doors, we were looking how to activate the main street and what to do with this big empty building,” Ms Larkin said. 

“The idea is to support that growing library, but also the other services that the community may need, from business incubation to meeting rooms to kids' break out spaces,” she said. 

The funding for the new infrastructure and upgrades has been secured by a combination of local, state, and federal investment. 

“There’s a real joint commitment there, which has been really excellent and we are really thankful to have that for our community,” Ms Larkin said. 

While the intention behind the major projects were community driven, aiming to bring life back into Gilgandra’s town centre, Ms Larkin said that the opportunity to capitalise on tourism is a key consideration. 

“Knowing that on the back of covid and the regional travel boom that we’re expecting to see coming, it’s all about how we can capitalise on that and support our existing businesses.”

“It’s kind of two-fold. Now is a really unique time with regional travel,” she said.  

Construction on the Mill on Miller Street project and Library Community Hub is due to start in March next year and is expected to finish by the end of 2022.