A report to be considered by councillors has called for $250,000 to be put towards the design and development of a business case, concept plans, and cost estimates to ensure the project is shovel ready by December, 2018.

“What is clear is that council is committed to delivering a facility, and it will be up to the community to help determine what this facility looks like,” mayor Col Murray said.

Cr Murray hinted the new centre could come at a cost to the town’s existing facilities.

“What we also know is that it is not realistic to ask ratepayers to bear the cost of council maintaining existing facilities if a new facility is built,” he said.

“When it comes down to it, we can’t have it all.

“As we progress through the planning phase, we encourage residents to have their say directly to Council, to ensure that all feedback is included.”