Cobar Shire Councillors have voted in favour of demolishing the Cobar Town Hall with the view of redeveloping the site to enable future commercial opportunities within the CBD.
The matter was discussed at Council’s Ordinary Meeting last Thursday following a report from Council’s general manager Peter Vlatko which recommended that Council progress the partial or full demolition of the Cobar Town Hall and the consolidation of their three adjoining land parcels to enable future commercial development.
Cr Lillian Simpson, who voted against the motion to demolish the building, said she believed the decision would cause some “backlash” from the community.
“I have my own personal reasons why I wouldn’t like to see it demolished, but I’m putting those aside, but I think we will be receiving some backlash from the community,” Cr Simpson said.
Cr Deighton was in favour of the demolition saying he believed that Council needed to be moving forward.
He said an having old building sitting there not utilized while Council has a $4.5 million building like the Pavillion at Ward Oval (that State, Federal and Local Government had invested in) being underutilised didn’t make sense.
“We’ve got to start to utilise them a bit more and, for lack of better wording, ‘out with the old and in with the new’, and just start moving forward.” he said.
When it came down to the vote, Cr Peter Florance, who was in two minds about the demolition, voted in favour of the motion to demolish.
“I think we’d do ourselves a disservice by simply writing off our historical buildings in outback towns,” Cr Florance said.
“Some of the few things that speak to Australia’s heritage.
“On the other hand, we were just talking about how we’ve got a $2 million dollar deficit.
“I understand this is about recovering some of our losses and moving on.
“So commercially, I just think it’s a shame we have to pull down what little heritage is left,” he said.
Constructed in 1893, the Town Hall has long served the community as a civic and cultural landmark.
The building has been vacant for the past five years due to structural deterioration, non-compliance issues, and escalating maintenance costs which have rendered its ongoing use unsustainable.
Earlier this year Council secured nearly $3.5 million in Federal Government funding under the Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program for the Grand Precinct Project, which included upgrades to the Town Hall.
However, recent feasibility assessments, including the DunnHillam Feasibility and Masterplan Report and the Morris Piper Business Case (March 2024), found that a full refurbishment would cost approximately $3 million, which is not feasible within Council’s current budget constraints.
Through the feasibility process, three options for the site were identified—to maintain the status quo and undertake no works; a full demolition and site clearance, or a partial demolition and restoration of the building for multifunctional use.
“Given the structural condition of the building and the strategic opportunities presented by its location, demolition and consolidation of the adjoining lots present the most viable long-term economic and community outcome,” Mr Vlatko recommended in his report.
“Heritage values could be preserved through memorials or interpretive elements incorporated into future development.
“This approach aligns with regional priorities for urban renewal, economic diversification, and tourism growth, providing a pathway toward a revitalised and sustainable town centre,” he said.
“Any demolition or redevelopment would be subject to statutory approvals, including a Development Application and Heritage Assessment. These processes will ensure compliance with relevant planning and heritage legislation.
“Refurbishing the existing Town Hall would cost an estimated $3 million.
“Proceeding with demolition and land consolidation would avoid ongoing maintenance and safety costs associated with the deteriorating structure,” Mr Vlatko advised.
“Sale or redevelopment of the land could generate revenue for reinvestment in other community projects and reduce Council’s depreciation and maintenance liabilities.”
Councillors approved the preparation and lodgement of necessary studies and applications, including heritage, planning, and environmental assessments, to support demolition and land consolidation of the Cobar Town Hall site.
They also approved the development of a strategic land use and investment plan for the site following demolition, identifying potential commercial and mixed-use development opportunities consistent with Council’s long-term economic and urban renewal objectives.
As part of the process, Council will implement a communication and engagement plan to ensure transparency and provide information to the community regarding the rationale, heritage considerations, and future opportunities associated with redevelopment of the site.
