The precinct is located behind Narrabri's Crossing Theatre, and the planned overhaul will consist of adding a large playground with accessibility equipment, links to retail outlets, public toilets, change room facilities and access to the central business district of Narrabri.

A VPA contribution of $2 million from Santos has kick-started the funding train, and the council will now work hard for grants from the state and federal governments to continue this.

Councillors voted unanimously to endorse the plan at its March ordinary council meeting.

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Narrabri mayor Ron Campbell said the plan was "just one link in the chain to attract people to come and live here".

"The precinct is about creating a community asset that can be used for entertainment events and outdoor passive recreation as well as a making it a 'must-stop destination' for tourists travelling through Narrabri shire," Cr Campbell said.

"The precinct location is positioned on the busy Newell Highway and has direct and easy access to the Narrabri CBD area.

"This certainly is a project that has the potential to provide the community and local businesses benefits that without this precinct would not be possible."

Work will be completed in stages, starting with an overflow carpark.

Cr Campbell is particularly looking forward to the shared pathways included in the masterplan.

"We've got another two shared pathways that are about to start construction linking to our existing shared pathways that are 2.5m wide," he said.

"We hope that we'll have in the not too distant future shared pathways 2.5m wide coming from every area in Narrabri coming to this wonderful precinct."

The draft masterplan was placed on public exhibition in February 2021, after which the council received five submissions. The masterplan has been in the development stages since 2019 and has included community consultation sessions to obtain community feedback.

During its development consideration has also been given to the Narrabri Sport, Recreation and Open Space Plan, Disability Inclusion Access Plan (DIAP), and the Pedestrian Access and Mobility Plan (PAMP).

The council's general manager, Stewart Todd, said the adoption of the masterplan was the council's unreserved commitment to the project.

"There is still a lot of work to be done before actual construction will commence. Council staff will now commence detailed designs for a number of the stages of the masterplan," Mr Todd said.

"Council has a razor-sharp focus on providing our current Narrabri shire community and our future residents a wonderful 'lifestyle proposition'; this masterplan lays the foundation to deliver upon that goal."

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