Brewarrina Shire Council is moving forward on its landmark $10 million Multipurpose Sports Complex project following an inspiring week of collaboration with renowned architects AJC (formerly Allen Jack+Cottier), who have come onboard to bring the visionary project to life.

Funded by the Federal Government’s Growing Regions Program, the new state-of-the-art facility, which is set to redefine community engagement and youth empowerment in the region, has entered a pivotal new phase as Council representatives and the AJC design team came together for a series of in-depth discussions, site tours and immersive community experiences designed to inform the forthcoming design stages.

Last week, Brewarrina Shire Council met with experts from the award-winning firm, celebrated for their innovative, community-focused architectural projects across Australia. This initial meeting marked the beginning of a close partnership, dedicated to ensuring that the new Brewarrina Multipurpose Sports Complex will not only deliver state-of-the-art facilities but also reflect the unique spirit, culture and aspirations of the community.

Brewarrina Shire Council General Manager David Kirby said he was excited to be progressing the transformative project alongside AJC, whose extensive and proven design experience in multipurpose centres and PCYC buildings in particular make them a perfect fit for the pivotal development.

“AJC’s reputation for creating vibrant, inclusive spaces aligns perfectly with our vision for Brewarrina’s Multipurpose Sports Complex. Their commitment to understanding our community, our people and our needs give us great confidence as we move into the design stage,” said Mr Kirby.

As part of their visit to the region, Council’s management team and Councillors met AJC Director John Whittingham and Studio Lead Michael Jones in Walgett to take a closer look at one of AJC’s recent works, the award-winning Walgett PCYC Centre. 

“The Walgett PCYC tour provided practical inspiration, highlighting the features that resonate most strongly, including flexible spaces for sports and social activities, accessibility for all ages and abilities, and a welcoming atmosphere that encourages connection.

“It gave us an opportunity to engage directly with Walgett’s staff and users, learning firsthand about their successes and challenges, and gathering feedback that will help guide our project,” added Mr Kirby.

Following the Walgett visit, AJC architects joined Council back in town for an in-depth look at the Brewarrina community — walking the streets, visiting the ancient Baiame’s Ngunnhu (Aboriginal Fish Traps) and meeting the team.

“AJC’s visit to the region gave them a vital opportunity to listen, observe and immerse themselves in the daily rhythms and unique culture of our town, gaining a deep appreciation of Brewarrina’s heritage, environment and community aspirations.

“It is an essential part of the project for our partners to experience Brewarrina firsthand. The stories, the landscape, the resilience and warmth of our people — these are qualities that cannot be captured in a blueprint. With extensive experience in projects like ours, the tour was about more than inspecting locations. It was about connecting to the heart of our community, ensuring the design of our Multipurpose Sports Complex will be truly ours.”

With these foundational experiences, Brewarrina Shire Council and AJC are now set to embark on the design phase of the Multipurpose Sports Complex, refining the scope and concept for the multi-use facility.

Concept design is anticipated to be prepared and presented to Council and community in November this year and the final design before the end of the year.

“We envision this new space to be a true cornerstone for the region alongside our Main Street redevelopment — a place where young people can find opportunity, inspiration and connection; where families can gather; and where community can flourish.

 “The importance of these tours and meetings cannot be overstated. They have given us clarity and confidence and have ensured that our project will respond directly to the needs and dreams of Brewarrina. Our partnership with AJC is off to an inspiring start, and we look forward to sharing further milestones with the community in the coming months,” concluded Mr Kirby.