The 2025/2029 Delivery Program and 2025/2026 Operational Plan, and 2025/2029 Resourcing Strategy have been adopted by Council at the June Ordinary Council Meeting.
The 2025/2029 Delivery Program and 2025/2026 Operational Plan provide the community with a plan of Council’s strategic and business activities, financial planning, spending, Capital Works Program, Revenue Policy and Fees and Charges for the next
financial year and deliverables for the next four years (2025/2026 - 2028/2029).
The 2025/2029 Resourcing Strategy provides a blueprint to manage Council's people, assets and finances to deliver on the services and projects for the community.
The 2025/2026 Operational Plan outlines Council's key strategic priorities for the year ahead and guides its commitment to serving the needs and aspirations of residents and businesses.
The next financial year will see Council delivering approximately $23 million on capital works across the Shire (of which $4.6 million is grant funded).
Notable projects include:
In adopting the 2025/2029 Delivery Program and 2025/2026 Operational Plan, Council determined it adopt the 4.3% annual maximum rate peg, as approved by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal and in accordance with Section 494 of the Local Government Act.
Other outcomes for the Ordinary Council Meeting for June included:
Mayoral Minute – Addressing the illegal tobacco trade
In a Mayoral Minute item relating to addressing the illegal tobacco trade, Council resolved to:
1. Write to NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) to formally express its serious concerns regarding the unlawful sale of tobacco products from tobacconist premises within the Narrabri Local Government Area and across the Northern Western region, and respectfully request DPHI urgently considers amending the NSW Standard Instrument – Principal Local Environmental Plan as follows:
a. Introduce a new standalone land use definition for “Tobacconist”;
b. Exclude tobacconists from existing definitions of “shop”, “retail premises” and “specialised retail premises”;
c. Create transitional provisions deeming existing tobacconist premises as having development consent, subject to, but not limited to, the following standard conditions:
i. Compliance with all relevant legislation, including:
i. Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2008 (NSW)
ii. Tobacco Advertising Prohibition Act 1992 (Cth)
iii. Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 (Cth)
iv. Customs Act 1901 (Cth) regarding import restrictions
v. Excise Act 1901 and the Excise Tariff Act 1921 (Cth)
ii. Prohibition of Sale of Prohibited or Illicit Product
2. Seeks formal support from all councils within the New England North West and relevant regional organisations to:
a. Present a joint representation to the NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces to implement the Standard Instrument amendment state-wide; and;
b. Prepare a coordinated submission to the upcoming NSW Inquiry into Illegal Tobacco Trade with councils in the New England North West outlining the effects of illegal tobacco shops in our respective Local Government Areas.
3. Calls upon the NSW and Commonwealth Governments to ensure that appropriate agencies and councils are properly resourced and funded to undertake any enforcement, compliance, or administrative responsibilities that arise from amendments to the Standard Instrument or related public health or planning legislation. This includes support for staffing, legal, and operational costs associated with monitoring, regulating, and prosecuting unlawful tobacconist activity.
Councillor and Mayoral Fees
Council set its Councillor fees for the 2025/2026 financial year at $18,890 and its Mayoral fee for the 2025/2026 financial year at $40,530. Both are the maximum fee available under the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal’s 2025/2026 determination.
Each year the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal makes a determination on Councillor and Mayoral Fees. Council is required to set its Councillor/Mayoral Fees for the financial year.
Post Election Review of Council’s Code of Meeting Practice
Council endorsed the draft Code of Meeting Practice 2025 Option 1 for public exhibition for a period of at least 28 days and to accept submissions for a period of 42 days.
Two options regarding Public Forums and livestreaming were presented to Council for their consideration:
Councillors opted for Option 1 - Public Forums are to be included in the recorded livestream of the Council Meeting.
A report will be returned to Council following the conclusion of the public exhibition and submission period with the inclusion of any submissions received during the period.
Post Election Review of Council’s Code of Conduct
Council adopted the Narrabri Shire Council Code of Conduct and Procedures for Administering the Code of Conduct 2025.
All NSW councils are required to have an adopted Code of Conduct that is based on the Model Code and Procedures as prescribed by section 440 of the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW).
Narrabri Arts Eisteddfod request for reimbursement of costs
Council will reimburse the Narrabri Arts Eisteddfod Committee $6,536.49 for out-of-pocket expenses as a result of The Crossing Theatre being unavailable for the 2024/2025 Eisteddfod as planned and agreed. Council will also reduce hire fees for the event by 50% in accordance with the Concessional Use Policy.
Additionally, Council agreed in principle to collaborate with the Narrabri Arts Eisteddfod to convene a concert in the current calendar year as a goodwill gesture to those performers who were disappointed at not being able to perform at the 2024/2025 Eisteddfod, subject to agreement on the details.
2025-2026 Narrabri Shire Council Communications Strategy
Council adopted the 2025-2026 Narrabri Shire Council Communications strategy.
The strategy is Narrabri Shire Council’s first formal approach to managing communications.
Infrastructure Delivery Status Report – May 2025
Council received and noted the Infrastructure Delivery Status Report for May 2025. The report highlighted a number of completed and upcoming works. This includes:
Road maintenance – Grading
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MR072 Kamilaroi Highway (Narrabri to Boggabri)
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MR072 Kamilaroi Highway (Narrabri to Boggabri)
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MR343 Kamilaroi Highway (Wee Waa to Burren Junction)
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SR191 Miller Williams Lane
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The Kerb and Gutter Program is nearing completion, with the aim to be completed by the end of month. The final two stages are on Hinds Street, Narrabri and Warrior Street, Wee Waa
Parks and Open Space maintenance
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Dangar Grandstand completed
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Gately Field Capital Works project for the
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Kerb and Guttering completed at Narrabri Lawn Cemetery
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Gately Field soccer club renovations have been completed
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Columbarium Wall completed at Narrabri Lawn Cemetery
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New grandstands in Boggabri and Wee Waa to be completed
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Pathway to Columbarium Wall completed at Narrabri Lawn Cemetery
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Dangar Park Grandstand pathways completed
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All towns caught up on mowing
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Final summer mowing of smaller towns completed (Bellata, Edgeroi, Baan Baa, Pilliga and Gwabegar
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• Renewal of water main in Lenore Street, Wee Waa
• Completion of water main in Wee Waa Street, Boggabri
• Commencement of water main renewal in Deran Street Lane, Narrabri
• Procurement of Bulk Water Filling Station for Wee Waa
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• Procurement of Water main Renewal
Project in Grantham Street, Boggabri
• Completion of the cleaning of Namoi
• Renewal of 500 water meters since January in Wee Waa and Narrabri
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• Award of sewer relining project to interflow for Narrabri
• Repair of inlet screws at Wee Waa and
Boggabri STP’s by Contractors and Council Staff
• Investigation of the installation of reflux
valves for flood prone properties in Narrabri
• Completion of Sewer Condition Assessment Project of 15km of Sewer Main in Narrabri
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• Program of reflux valve installation project in Narrabri
• Commencement of sewer relining project in Narrabri
• EPA Licence inspection a Narrabri Sewerage Treatment Plant
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Environmental Impact Statement for Expansion Cells 2 and 3
• Stakeholder engagement complete
• GHG emissions assessment commenced
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Environmental Impact Statement for Expansion Cells 2 and 3
• Onsite biodiversity assessment
• Finalised GHG emissions assessment
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JR Richards contract meetings
• Working to resolve commercial services
• Transfer Stations proposed schedule changes
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JR Richards scheduled meeting 18 June
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Commenced green waste shredding
• Wee Waa, Boggabri and Narrabri
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Completion of green waste shredding
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Weighbridge calibration repairs
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New Waste attendant commences
advertising for Team Leader role
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Leachate Pond level management
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Leachate Pond level management
• Assess disposal options
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ID Admin developing Waste Education Campaign
• Collaborating with Communications team
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Complete phase 1 of Education Campaign
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Confidential reports to this month’s Ordinary Council Meeting included:
1. Council approved the land swap and road opening/closure at Womera Creek Road, based on the following conditions:
a. A culvert will be installed at the landowner's secondary property entrance as compensation for the landowners' loss of land rather than a monetary exchange.
b. Council pays the necessary survey costs for the Land Swap.
c. Council pays the necessary legal fees for both Council and the landowners as part of the land swap transaction.
2. Authorises the General Manager to progress the land swap arrangements and sign the necessary documentation.
Womera Creek Road, approximately 16 kilometres southeast of Wee Waa, is located on private property rather than the designated road reserve.
It came to Council's attention that a part of the road is outside of the road reserve. The report explored options on how to rectify this issue.