The Rock Regional Observatory's completion date is now in sight as Charles Sturt University jumps on board the project that has been spearheaded by the local progress association and Lockhart Shire Council.

Construction of the observatory will be completed by the end of October next year for a wide-cross section of the community to use from visitors, tourists, students and researchers.

Lockhart Shire mayor Rodger Schirmer said the building plans are underway, which will include an educational space or lecture theatre. He said the university will provide the astronomical equipment, as well as, its expertise on astronomy.

"Plans and specifications are now being prepared for a building to house the telescope, as well as for a suitable educational space," he said.

Cr Schirmer said the project could become a major regional tourist attraction, but also an educational facility for school-aged and university students, researchers, members of the University of the Third Age and social and cultural clubs.

The Rock Progress Association president Traci Driscoll said the university's involvement will ensure the observatory will be sustainable in the future.

"It will offer the local community and surrounding district a first-class facility that can be utilised by the general community and educational facilities to foster interest and research in the field of astronomy," she said.

"As the town has both professional and amateur astronomers, I feel it will be utilised often. It offers an avenue for everyone, young and old, to explore broader interests."

Ms Driscoll said The Rock is the ideal site given its close proximity to the university, local and regional schools and its access on the highway between Sydney and Melbourne.

"The observatory will be built a short distance from the town as it has low light pollution to impact on telescopes and research,' she said.

Ms Driscoll said the observatory will not only be invaluable to the region's astronomers, but will put The Rock on the tourism map.

"The area has several attractions already ... I feel it will be an added attraction to encourage those with other interests to stop and visit," she said.

Charles Sturt's faculty of science executive officer Peter Ryall said the observatory will provide a "wonderful" educational and research resource for the region.

Mr Ryall said The Rock offers an ideal location for the observatory given that it is free of light pollution and is in close proximity to Wagga.

The Rock Regional Observatory's has been in the planning stages since 2017.