Grand Central Precinct Planning and Design Project

Cobar Shire Council is undertaking the Grand Central Precinct Planning and Design Project to drive economic and social revitalisation in the town Centre of Cobar. Focusing on the redevelopment of the Grand Hotel and surrounding sites, this project will create a vibrant business hub that attracts investment and enhances tourism.

This project is focused on delivering design and planning works across a range of key sites in the town Centre of Cobar, bringing each to construction and tender ready status. This will lay the foundation for future capital works across the precinct.

PROJECT SUMMARY

The Grand Central Precinct Planning and Design Project will deliver detailed planning and design works including schematic designs, development approval, and construction drawings for the following sites:

Grand Hotel Redevelopment: transforming this historical building into a cultural commercial hub with retail, hospitality, co-working, and accommodation spaces.
Library Upgrade: to enhance youth, technology, community spaces.
Town Hall Restoration: Redesigning for multi-purpose community use, including accessible amenities, and arts and events spaces.
Brennan Centre Expansion: Adding six new senior housing units and a community room.
Streetscape Enhancements: Improving public amenities and tourism appeal through shade, seating, planting and shopfront upgrades.

It’s important to note this project only includes the design aspects of the above sites. No construction works are included in this project

COMPLETION DATE

March 2027

FUNDING

This project is proudly funded by the Australian Government.

PROJECT UPDATE

Planning and design work across the Grand Central Precinct continues to progress.

The tenders for both the Brennan Centre Seniors Living Upgrade Project and the CBD Upgrade Project have now closed, with recommendations scheduled to be presented to Council at the 27 November 2025 Council Meeting.

A consultant has been engaged to undertake a Scoping Study for the Grand, which will help define the vision for the building. In addition, an RFQ for the Library Feasibility Study has been released and will close in early December.

Mayor Jarrod Marsden has also established a Town Hall Working Group to explore options and potential solutions for the future of the Town Hall building.

Further updates will be provided as planning and design works continue to progress.

CONTACT DETAILS

Name: Carly Hunter, Project Coordinator
Phone: (02) 6836 5888
Email: mail@cobar.nsw.gov.au