Council Meeting Update - September 2025
Published on 19 September 2025
Cr Brett Nolan has been elected as Deputy Mayor for the next 12 months following the nomination and vote at Wednesday’s Ordinary Council Meeting held in the Narrabri Shire Council Chambers.
Mayor Darrell Tiemens congratulated Cr Nolan on being awarded the role and said he looked forward to working with Cr Nolan as Deputy Mayor.
Mayor Tiemens also thanked outgoing Deputy Mayor Cr Brett Dickinson for his work in the role during the past year and acknowledged his continued contribution to Narrabri Shire Council.
Cr Dickinson elected not to stand for the Deputy Mayor role this term, instead choosing to provide another Councillor with the opportunity to serve in the position.
Other outcomes from the September Ordinary Council Meeting included:
Appointment of Council Delegates
Councillors were appointed as delegates to represent Council across a range of organisations and committees. The Mayor will also write to Councillors in relation to the equitable distribution of delegate appointments.
The appointment of delegates was brought ahead one month early due to the recent election of Cr Whillas following the resignation of Cr Roberts-Garnsey.
The Council delegates, which are made in accordance with section 377 of the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW), were previously appointed for a period of 12 months until October 2025.
Floodplain Risk Management Advisory Committee appointments
Mr Tony Meppem and Mr Martin Haire have been appointed to the Floodplain Risk Management Advisory Committee.
The appointments follow advertising of Expressions of Interest for two vacant positions on the committee.
Floodplain Risk Management Committees are established in accordance with the New South Wales (NSW) Government’s Flood Prone Land Policy and the Flood Risk Management Manual (2023).
Dolly Parton Imagination Library participation
Council will advise United Way Australia that it will support existing and new enrolments for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library until the 2029/2030 Financial Year.
Council will also seek community partners to assist with the funding and delivery of the program until its conclusion in 2029/2030.
It follows notification to Narrabri Shire Libraries early last month that NSW State funding for the early literacy program will end for new enrolments (newborn registrations) as of 31 August 2025.
The withdrawal of funding meant Council had to consider its ongoing involvement in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and potential financial commitment until June 2031.
Narrabri Shire Libraries has supported the Dolly Parton Imagination Library since January 2022. Through its partnership with the Narrabri Rotary Club, during this time 468 children (from birth to aged five) have been enrolled in the program, receiving an age-appropriate book in the mail each month, free of charge.
Narrabri Shire Drought Management Plan
Council endorsed and adopted the Narrabri Shire Council Drought Management Plan 2025, which provides a comprehensive approach to managing water resources effectively.
The document supports Council’s recently adopted Drinking Water Management System and will link into the delivery of the Integrated Water Management Strategy.
Infrastructure Delivery – September 2025
Council received and noted the Infrastructure Delivery Status Report for September 2025. Notable works include:
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Works are continuing on widening of the underpass in Cameron Park in preparation for the Violet Street Bridge replacement project. Community consultation around the project has also commenced, including meetings with Narrabri High School and bus companies. The tender for the project is currently open with tenders to be received up until 11.00am Tuesday, 14 October 2025.
Other adopted recommendations
Councillors endorsed two Mayoral Minutes presented by the Mayor:
This month’s meeting included a number of confidential reports. Adopted recommendations were reported to the meeting following consideration by Councillors during a closed session. These reports included:
Council authorised the General Manager to continue pursuing outstanding water rates from the property owner.
Maules Creek Continuation Project
Council authorised the General Manager to enter into a Planning Agreement with Whitehaven Coal in relation to the Maules Creek Continuation Project. Upon entering the Planning Agreement, the report and the agreement will be made publicly available.
The authorisation follows a written offer to Council from Whitehaven Coal on 10 March this year to enter into a Planning Agreement in relation to State Significant Development Application (SSD-63428218) being the Maules Creek Continuation Project.
Waste Strategy – property acquisition
Council approved the allocation of funds to finalise the acquisition of the proposed site and authorised the General Manager to proceed with its purchase for the expansion of the Narrabri Waste Management Facility.
The expansion of the Narrabri Waste Management Facility is a strategic priority identified in the Narrabri Shire Waste Strategy to 2040, which highlights the need for long-term secure disposal capacity.
To view the full agenda and reports from the September Ordinary Council Meeting and watch the recording of the meeting, visit Council's website.