What the council is working on
Recent deliveries, what's underway now, and what's planned next — drawn from the council's own plans, budgets and project pages. We report what the council has publicly said it's doing; every item links to its source.
The council's stated direction
Coonamble's direction is set out in its Community Strategic Plan 2025-2035 — vision: "we are a united, vibrant and capable community, focused on caring for each other and our country, now and into the future" — delivered through a Delivery Program 2025-2029 (adopted 18 June 2025) and an annual Operational Plan and budget. The 2026-27 plan is dominated by two large externally funded projects (the Tooraweenah Road upgrade and the Coonamble Artesian and Cultural Experience) alongside water security and waste service decisions.
The council manages local and regional roads, town water and sewerage, waste, parks, saleyards, a quarry, libraries and planning across a 9,916 km² shire of about 3,871 people, centred on Coonamble with villages at Gulargambone and Quambone. Its Community Strategic Plan groups everything it does into five themes — Our Community, Our Economy, Our Assets, Our Country and Our Leadership — supported by nine function areas, with the Delivery Program as the elected council's statement of commitment for its term.
Council adopted its 2026-27 Operational Plan and Revenue Policy in June 2026, applying IPART's 3.5% rate peg for a total ordinary rates yield of about $6.03 million, and raising the domestic waste management charge from $550 to $660 per service on a strict cost-recovery basis. General-fund borrowings are small — one infrastructure loan with $353,239 outstanding at 30 June 2026, and no loans in the water or sewerage funds. Council met 6 of the 9 OLG financial benchmarks in 2023-24, missing own-source revenue, rates outstanding and the infrastructure backlog; a draft Long-Term Financial Plan was placed on public exhibition in 2026.
Underway now
Tooraweenah Road upgrade
Contractor appointed January 2026; construction commenced 4 May 2026A $41.2 million upgrade of Tooraweenah Road funded by the Australian Government, delivering improved road conditions, increased flood resilience and better connectivity for residents, freight operators and visitors. Council announced the successful tender on 27 January 2026 and construction — starting with site clearing and preparation — began on Monday 4 May 2026. Council reports the project remains on schedule; a road closure and detour applies to Segment 01 during works.
Source: Coonamble Shire Council — Media Release: Construction to Commence on Tooraweenah Road
Coonamble Artesian and Cultural Experience (artesian bore baths)
Bore drilling commenced June 2026A tourism precinct planned around artesian bore baths adjacent to the Coonamble Golf Club and Jockey Club, jointly funded by $5.5 million from the NSW Government's Regional Tourism Activation Fund and a council contribution of about $1.25 million. Council engaged The Impax Group to construct the artesian bore that will supply the baths, with drilling starting in June 2026. Once complete the precinct is planned to include bore baths, accommodation, camping facilities, wetlands, landscaping and walking paths.
Source: Coonamble Shire Council — Media Release: Construction Commences on Artesian Bore
Recently delivered
Coonamble Community Recycling Centre
Opened 9 December 2025A permanent, free drop-off point for household problem waste — paints, oils, gas bottles, household batteries and smoke detectors — at the Coonamble Waste Management Facility on Quambone Road, established with a $31,601 grant from the Environmental Trust under the NSW EPA's Waste Less Recycle More initiative. It accepts up to 20 litres or 20 kilograms per visit and joins more than 100 community recycling centres across NSW. Council also installed a cardboard baler at the facility in February 2026 under a regional partnership.
Source: Coonamble Shire Council — Media Release: New Recycling Centre Opens at Coonamble