The project team – including Tamworth Regional Astronomy Club (TRAC) members and Tamworth Regional Council – have recently met for the third time, Garry Copper said.

The TRAC project manager said the Tamworth Regional Astronomy and Science Centre project was “going pretty much on track, as far as we can see”.

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“[The plans are] up to final concept stage, now they just need detailing out … That’s happening at present,” Mr Copper said.

“In the next, probably, week ... we should have the first draft back from architect for the final plans.”

Tamworth Regional Council secured the state government funding in June for the centre, which will be built in Victoria Park near the miniature railway and botanic gardens.

“Surveyors have been at the site of the proposed centre as part of the work needed to determine the most appropriate exact location for the centre to ensure it is fit for purpose,” a council spokeswoman said.

“There is also sewer and stormwater drainage works in and around Victoria Park which need to be designed and constructed before any building works start …

“The DA is expected to be lodged by the end of the year [and] 

An Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permit process, required by the Office of Environment and Heritage, is also under way, and the council will also need to seek Crown Lands approval.

Mr Copper said the “grant covers really just the basic shell building”, plus the extension of the car parking and a toilet block at the site.

He said the club would be fundraising for the fit-out, such as furniture, large TV screens and landscaping.

Better stargazing gear is also on the club wishlist.

“We’ve got probably 80 per cent of what we need to get up and running but, down track a little bit, we’ll probably be looking for a couple of big extra semi-professional telescopes,” he said.

The plan is for the observatory to have a roll-off roof for large telescopes, a second observatory to house a historical telescope, a planetarium and an education space for hands-on science programs.