Bathurst Regional Council will officially adopt a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) for the site when it meets tonight.

The historic building was handed to council from the state government in 2013.

However, that left council with the dilemma of how to make best use of the key site and heritage building which forms part of the Bathurst Town Square.

The people will be asked for feedback on the plan and the future of the Town Square when the plan is released at a mayoral reception on September 3.

That civic event at the Somerville Museum will include the opening of the exhibition Evolution: The Changing Face of Our Bathurst Town Square and launch of the Bathurst Town Square Heritage Walking Tour brochure.

A report to tonight’s ordinary monthly meeting of council asks council to adopt the plan and for it to be released to the public for feedback.

According to the report, the plan considers the former TAFE site including the William Street building, the former headmaster’s cottage and the former Bathurst Public School (currently housing the fossil museum).

The document also takes a wider view and considers the whole Bathurst Town Square bounded by Russell, William, Howick and George streets.

“Essentially the CMP aims to guide the future of the former TAFE site in heritage terms,” the report states. 

“It does not necessarily consider all other development issues that may also impact on the way in which the site is managed or redeveloped into the future.

“Whilst a large document, each chapter has been set up to be generally read independent of the other chapters.”

Chapters detail the history of the site; examine the relative heritage significance of the former TAFE and public school buildings and the Bathurst Town Square; outline key areas for repair; provide detailed recommendations for the TAFE and Town Square in heritage terms and offer opportunities for reuse.

The former TAFE site is of state significance.