After years of waiting, it's what long-time lobbyist and Boggabri Business and Community Progress Association's Cath Collyer has been waiting to hear.

"It will be a great asset to the town, for the families of the town, and it will help with any new families coming into the town, and [shifts], encouraging people to come to Boggabri," she said.

"If you're moving to a new area and don't have family support, you rely heavily on a child care facility ... because these days everyone works.

"These days, everyone needs child care."

Narrabri Shire Council approved Idemitsu's Boggabri Coal's development application for a 397 square-metre centre in September.

"We will be issuing a tender for construction towards the end of the year. It is anticipated that the new facility will be available to local's towards the middle of 2020," Boggabri Coal general manager Anthony Margetts said.

"This investment, which totals over a million dollars, will be a valuable community asset to the people of Boggabri. It is our hope that this facility will help attract people to reside in Boggabri, whether they are employed at the mine or otherwise.

"We are pleased to be partnering with Narrabri-based childcare provider Nurruby Children's Services who have been engaged to operate the facility."

Ms Collyer said Nurruby had been "supportive all along" and helped her when she had applied for grants.

"[The centre] is a positive thing looking forward," she said.

"These days in small towns, you need everything you can to get people to come to your town, for survival. Without childcare, small towns die off."

Mr Margetts said Idemitsu would keep the council and community "updated with progress as we move forward to completion".

The centre will be built on the corner of Brent and Oakham streets and cater for 0-5; and, potentially, ages 6-12 through after-school or before-school care.

Read also: