Moree Plains Shire Council is inviting the community to have its say on plans for the future of Taylor Oval, including the proposed Stage 1 delivery of a heated 50m pool and a long-term vision for a major aquatic, recreation and sporting precinct.
At its Ordinary Council Meeting on 18 June, Council adopted the draft Taylor Oval Stage 1 Plan and a site masterplan for public consultation. Community feedback will help refine both plans before they are presented back to Council for consideration at the Ordinary Council Meeting on 20 August 2026.
Stage 1 proposes to use currently available grant funding and budget allocations to deliver a heated 50m pool, a grassed spectator mound, café/kiosk and seating area, car parking, a grassed recreation area, change rooms, lockers and public amenities.
The accompanying masterplan outlines a longer-term vision for the site, identifying future opportunities that could be delivered as additional grant funding becomes available. Proposed facilities include a children’s leisure pool and splash pad, indoor learn-to-swim facilities, a waterslide, covered grandstand, new tennis clubhouse with a community room, indoor multipurpose courts, a town park, outdoor cinema and stage, and additional car parking.
Moree Plains Shire Council Mayor Susannah Pearse said community input was essential to ensuring the precinct reflected local needs and aspirations.
“Our community desperately needs its 50m pool and this is the next step in getting us there.”
“The Stage 1 plans show what Council proposes to deliver with the currently available budget.”
“We want this to be a project that sets a lasting legacy for future generations and stands the test of time. To that extent, the 50m pool has been located where geotechnically tested soil has been identified as the most stable and suitable.
“Taylor Oval is however a large site and we have heard the community’s views that they wish to see the site serve as more than just an aquatic facility – something that recognises its history as a sporting precinct and provides more opportunities for our kids and families.
“The Masterplan shows what is possible at the site as Stage 1 is completed and additional grant funding becomes available. It is important that we understand what future stage needs are now, so that the Stage 1 infrastructure is located and built to support future additions.”
“We want to create a great future for our Shire, with facilities we can be proud of, and we encourage our community to be part of this process with us.”
Council has engaged an independent consulting firm to gather feedback from residents, user groups and stakeholders through a series of community engagement activities.
Community members are encouraged to attend one of the following consultation events.
Drop-in community information session
Where: Moree Memorial Hall
When: Wednesday, 22 July, 6pm to 8pm
On-site open day
Where: Taylor Oval, 40 Albert Street
When: Saturday, 25 July, 11am to 3pm
Residents can also view the plans and provide feedback online at Taylor-oval-masterplan.
Submissions close at 11.59pm on 31 July 2026.
Site heritage investigations
As part of a separate process, Council has engaged independent heritage specialists OzArk Environment & Heritage NSW to undertake Aboriginal consultation and archaeological investigations associated with Taylor Oval.
Council acknowledges the significance of Aboriginal cultural heritage and is committed to ensuring any assessment of the site is thorough, evidence-based and undertaken in accordance with NSW heritage legislation, including Heritage NSW approval for archaeological test excavations.
Registered Aboriginal Parties have been identified and will participate in the process. Council will continue to follow the advice of Heritage NSW and appropriately qualified heritage professionals to ensure cultural heritage values are properly identified and respected.
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