Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton (second from right) pictured with Walgett Shire Council Director Infrastructure and Compliance Kazi Mahmud, Councillor Alf Seaton, Mayor Jasen Ramien and General Manager Megan Dixon at the opening of the Collarenebri Bore Baths.
Tourists will soon be flocking to Collarenebri now that the town’s new bore baths are open to the public.
Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton officially opened the facility yesterday with Mayor Jasen Ramien and said it will provide a tourism boom for the small town.
“It was fantastic to take part in the opening yesterday and I’m thrilled to see this long-awaited project become a reality,” Mr Coulton said.
“The facility looks incredible, and I have no doubt that tourists and locals will be lining up to take a dip now that the baths are finally open.
“The northern part of my electorate is already home to a number of hot artesian bore baths which draw thousands of tourists each year, and now Collarenebri will be another key stop on the Great Artesian Drive.
“This will be a massive game-changer for the town, boosting tourism and economic development which will in turn have positive flow-on effects for local businesses and the wider community.”
Mr Coulton said Walgett Shire Council received a $920,124 Federal Government grant to construct the thermal baths and associated amenities back in July 2021.
“I’m proud to have helped secure the funding for this project through the former Coalition Government’s Murray-Darling Basin Economic Development Program,” Mr Coulton said.
“This program was all about giving back to those Murray-Darling Basin communities impacted by the Basin Plan.
“Collarenebri was devastated by the first round of water buybacks – the town lost more than 80 per cent of its irrigated land and more than a third of its farm employment which saw many families leave town and businesses forced to close.
“The former Coalition Government recognised the need to create new economic activity and job opportunities for impacted Basin communities like Collarenebri and this bore bath does just that.”
Walgett Shire Council General Manager Megan Dixon said the project will revitalise Collarenebri following population and economic decline brought about as a result of water buybacks.
“The new artesian bath is located in the main street of Collarenebri and is walking distance from the primitive campground, adjacent to the sportsground and will service both campers and locals alike,” Ms Dixon said.
“This project generated 25 jobs during construction, with six ongoing, operational jobs around maintenance for Council.
“It has triggered new investment in town, with a private investor buying and re-opening businesses, including a laundry and café.”
The facility takes heated bore water from the great artesian basin and regulates it via reticulating pump system to provide bore water temperature between 40 to 42 degrees Celsius.
The total cost of the project was approximately $1.6 million, with just under $1 million from the Australian Government under Round 3 of the Economic Development Program. Walgett Shire Council contributed the remaining $600,000.
