Council Meeting Update - 28 October 2024

Published on 28 October 2024

Here is a wrap up of the first Ordinary Council Meeting of the newly elected Narrabri Shire Council:

• Councillors have made it clear the state of our roads is a key focus for them moving forward. A Notice of Motion, submitted by Councillor Roberts-Garnsey, requesting that the Interim General Manager prepare and present a detailed report outlining the current backlog of road maintenance across the Shire including all roads in need of repairs, upgrades, or resurfacing was supported unanimously tonight. An addition to the motion was made by Cr Jansson receiving unanimous support to include information regarding outstanding flood funding, in the realm of $30M for road repairs from different levels of government. The report, which will be presented at a councillor workshop in November followed by the December Council Meeting, will include a list of priority roads which require works based on Council’s current Rural Roads Hierarchy and funding required.

   

• Councillor appointments to the Northern Regional Planning Panel, Namoi Water, Narrabri Shire Council Reconciliation Action Plan Committee, Public Art Advisory Committee and over 25 other committees were endorsed. The updated Committee Register identifying which councillors are delegates on which committees will be updated on Council’s website later this week. Councillors will hold their positions as delegates on these committees until October 2025.

   

• The Crossing Theatre Concessional Use Policy was put to good use again at tonight’s meeting with applications from Narrabri West Public School, St Joseph’s School, and St Francis Xavier’s School all approved. The Crossing Theatres Concessional Use Policy is a great way that Council assists local charities, NFPs, community organisations, Section 355 Committees, and schools in utilising the wonderful facility that is The Crossing Theatre. 

   

• Advocacy for the provision of health services locally remains a major priority for Council with a submission to the Legislative Assembly Remote, Rural and Regional Health Portfolio Committee No.2 – Cross Jurisdictional Health Reforms being endorsed. The submission highlights that Narrabri Shire Community remains frustrated and dissatisfied with the lack of communication and consultation from NSW Health, and the primary health service delivery framework. Also included in the submission are recommendations from Council in relation to the 10-Year Rural and Remote Medical and Health Workforce Recruitment and Retention Strategy, a single employer model for GP trainees across New South Wales, Rural Area Community Controlled Health Organisation pilot, increasing rural GP and specialist training positions, regional cancer centres, and obstetric, midwifery and anaesthetic service provisions.

Minutes from tonight’s council meeting will be available on Council’s website later this week.