Residents of the Bogan Shire have taken the matter of accommodation shortages in the town into their own hands by purchasing and rebuilding existing premises for accommodation for not only workers but visitors to the Shire.  

Two former hotels are getting a new lease on life as local families invest in their future.

  James and Emily Stanton are knee deep in renovations at their new premises “The Nyngan Hotel”, after purchasing the building in the hope of renovating it back to its former glory and to provide Nyngan with extra beds. 

“I have been working in accommodation for the past 11 years, so I understand the demand and shortage in our town,” said co-owner Emily Stanton. 

“After restoring the old pharmacy building down the main street into accommodation, we went looking for our next venture and stumbled upon the Nyngan Hotel building.” 

“After our first inspection we fell in love with the building and saw it as the perfect building and perfect location for a boutique style motel. At the time we purchased it our only intention was to do accommodation but as I spent more time in the building, I decided we needed to open the hotel side of the building for the people of Nyngan to e able to see and experience,” said Mrs. Stanton. 

“It has so much history, an amazing underground cellar, a grand dining room and it poured beer in our town for over 100 years up until the 1980’s.  

According to Mrs. Stanton, Nyngan is crying out for a nice family friendly venue for accommodation, meals and functions and somewhere to get dressed up to go out. “I have it in my heart to open this side of the business for our community to enjoy,” she said.  

“In terms of accommodation we will have 15 rooms once open and we will be targeting short term travellers. It won’t help the house rental shortage situation, but it will certainly provide another 15 rooms for corporate travellers, workers and tourists/travellers that previously may not have been able to give rooms given the current options in town run at such high occupancy rates.” 

“It will also provide people with a different option to what the town currently offer given it will be very new, modern and boutique style accommodation.” 

The Canonbar Hotel as it was in 2017. IMAGE: Wikimedia

With old hotels seeming to be hits for redo in country towns, the old ‘Canonbar Hotel’ was purchased by local Rob Kennedy and Pete (Irish) McKiernan in November 2022. 

While Rob noticed the pub sat vacant for an extended amount of time, he also took note of the lack of available accommodation, and he could see the potential of the ‘Canonbar’ being loved once again but this time only utilising the accommodation. 

“With plans in the future for expansion in the old bar area out the front, and with Pete’s expertise in building and my wife Marina’s styling skills, the building is now a comfortable 7 ensuited bedroom motel planning on opening in November 2023,” said Mr. Kennedy. 

With the work of Bogan Shire Council, who are currently planning a new subdivision, and local community members, the town will soon boast some of the best accommodation in the area and be able to cater to its growing needs for both workers and visitors, .