Council Meeting Update - 20 August 2025

Published on 20 August 2025

Over 35 reports were discussed at tonight’s Ordinary Council Meeting at the Narrabri Shire Council Chambers. Below is an update on some of the adopted recommendations.

Council puts road safety first for Wee Waa schools

• Council’s Local Traffic Committee are supporting both St Joseph’s Primary School and Namoi Valley Christian School in Wee Waa with road safety initiatives following their April meeting.
• Traffic counts have been undertaken outside of St Joseph’s Primary School and sent to Transport for New South Wales for consideration following a request for a supervised crossing outside the school.
• Meanwhile investigations are underway internally to identify the best way forward to establish a bus zone on Cowper Street for the Namoi Valley Christian School.

Council policies put under the microscope

• Council has reviewed all its policies following the Ordinary Council Election last year.
• 41 policies were adopted by Council this evening, with a further 25 policies endorsed to go on public exhibition for 28 days.
• The review provided Council with the opportunity to restructure some policies with 15 policies being merged into other policies.

74% of 2024/2025 Operational Plan Actions Achieved

• Actions completed during the final quarter of the 2024/2025 financial year include renewal of the Boggabri Pool change room area, Stage 1 of the Violet Street Bridge design, and partnering with Business NSW New England Northwest to deliver the inaugural Regional Northwest New England Tourism and Placemaking Forum.
• Of the remaining 26% of actions 3% were at least 90% completed and 4% are scheduled for completion this quarter.
• Over the 2024/2025 financial year Council’s spent 71% of its capital works budget, with some of the unspent 29% looking to be carried over into the new financial year to ensure the delivery of necessary projects.

Council backing several community events

• Council will be a major sponsor of the Narrabri District Business Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 Business Awards, agreeing to provide $3,000 from the 2025-2026 Economic Development budget.
• $6,000 will be sourced from Council’s 63151 Donations Community Assistance Scheme to support the Narrabri Chapter of the RSL Sub-Branch following their Community Event Application to host the annual Victory in the Pacific/Vietnam Veterans Day and Remembrance Day services with a temporary road closure to Maitland Street.
• The Alcohol Free Zone along Maitland Street will be temporarily suspended from 4pm to 8pm on Friday 19 September for the Santos Street Festival. Council hopes this will positively contribute to the enhancement of Narrabri's night-time economy and drive tourism activity.

Council continues to advocate for solutions to issues impacting our Shire

• Council will submit eight motions to the Local Government New South Wales Conference set to be held in November. The motions cover a range of topics including:
  • Replacement Funding for Resources for Regions
    • Motion title: Replacement Funding for Mining - Affected Communities
  • Regional Health Equity – Services and Transport
    • Motion Title: Equitable Access to Regional Health Services
  • PFAS Contamination – State Support for Investigation and Rectification
    • Motion Title: State-Led Response to PFAS Contamination
  • Abandoned Vehicles – Coordinated Removal Framework
    • Motion Title: Fair and Timely Removal of Abandoned Vehicles
  • Aquatic Facility Upgrades – Statewide Investment
    • Motion Title: Funding Support for Ageing Public Pools
  • Roads – Increased and Sustainable Investment
    • Motion Title: Increased and Predictable Regional Roads Funding
  • Cultural Funding for Rural and Remote Councils
    • Motion Title: Regional Access to Cultural Infrastructure and Programs
  • Crown Land Community Buildings – Funding Equity
    • Motion Title: Funding for Infrastructure on Crown Land
• Council will continue to advocate for increased safety at three railway crossings within the Shire including activation of the Old Newell Highway Rail Crossing and decommissioning of the Old Turrawan Road crossing, and installation of signalling at Old Cemetery Road and Yarrie Lake Road level crossings. Despite being advised by The Hon Jenny Aitchison MP, Minister for Road and Regional Transport, that there is currently no funding available Council will continue to seek prioritisation of these requests to address safety concerns and better support the region’s transport and economic infrastructure.
• In one of two Mayoral Minutes discussed at tonight’s meeting, Council agreed to investigate potential advocacy pathways to ensure under resourced Fire and Rescue NSW stations remain a viable critical service for the community and opportunities to leverage Fire and Rescue recruitment drives locally. While there is currently no confirmed risk to stations within the Narrabri LGA, Council wants to ensure it fully understands how current changes may affect our stations presently and int the future.

Budget carried over to ensure projects are completed

• Council endorsed a request from staff tonight to carry forward $7.6M to finalise works not completed at the end of the 2024/2025 financial year.
• Projects included in this carryover amount include the Tourism Hub, Harparary Road to Browns Lane intersection upgrade, the purchased of a tar patching truck, back up generator and electrical board upgrades at The Crossing Theatre, and much more.
• These projects have been unable to be completed during the initially prescribed timeframe due to a number of reason, but allowing for the budget to be carried forward means that Council can ensure these projects are delivered for our community.