The proposed opal and fossil centre expected to be a major tourist attraction for the town, and the community centre, which is to house a range of health and community services, were approved funding at last week's council meeting.

Councillors passed a motion for council to borrow $1 million to kickstart the projects but questions still remain about starting times.

It is expected the two buildings will cost about $10 million to complete.

However, shortly after the decision three councillors who voted against the motion put forward a recision motion, meaning councillors will need to vote again on the issue at next month's meeting.

Mayor Peter Waterford said council had decided to utilise $1 million because no infrastructure had been in the pipeline for the Ridge despite existing plans.

However, heavy debate was engaged in before the motion was passed.

During the meeting Councillor Tim Horan expressed concern about spending money that council didn't own.

Council's utilities and recreation manager Colin Keen said council would need to borrow some money anyhow, because land needed to be purchased for a new waste management facility at the Ridge within the next 12 months.

Cr Charlie Mitchell also wasn't happy with the idea council would borrow more money and said it was a "back-door way of getting the wish list up."

He said it was absurd, especially if council had the aim of creating a $500,000 surplus.

"The current structures we have within the shire are not being maintained and it is ludicrous to pay for more things when we can't even pay for our maintenance."

But Cr Bob Hewlett said Lightning Ridge had always been dealt with unfairly in the past and this motion would rectify the situation.

"Infrastructure improvements in the Ridge should address the inequity because maintenance costs in the other towns are much higher."