Council Meeting Update – December 2025

Published on 18 December 2025

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Council held a moment of silence at the beginning of last night’s Ordinary Council Meeting to remember the victims and those affected by the tragedy on Bondi Beach.

Council formally condemned the horrific and senseless act of violence carried out at Bondi Beach on Sunday, 14 December, and expressed its deepest sympathy and solidarity with the people of Waverley Council, particularly the Jewish community and others directly affected by the attack.

As a mark of respect and mourning, Narrabri Shire Council flags are flying at half-mast, while earlier this week, Mayor Tiemens wrote a letter to Mayor Namesh of Waverly Council conveying Narrabri Shire’s deepest condolences to the community.

Reports presented at the December Ordinary Council Meeting included:

Narrabri Waste Management Facility - Construction of Expansion Cells 2 and 3

Following a Confidential Report, the tender for the Construction of Expansion Cells 2 and 3 at the Narrabri Waste Management Facility was awarded to Synergy Resource Management Pty Ltd.

The Narrabri Waste Management Facility expansion includes the construction of two adjoining landfill cells (Cell 2 and Cell 3) and associated infrastructure. The project includes:

  • Site establishment
  • Construction of sediment control basin
  • Construction of the leachate pond
  • Construction of Cells 2 and 3

This expansion will continue to support landfill operations within the existing site and meet the Shire's future waste management requirements.

2024/2025 Audited Financial Statements

Council presented the 2024/2025 Audited Financial Statements including auditors reports. The report included a presentation from Forsyths (Council’s Contract Auditor).

Key points from the financial statements include:

  • Council has disclosed a deficit before Capital income items of $29.1 million – largely due to the $17 million loss on disposal of assets. This was an increase of $12 million on the previous year due to a large number of grant-funded roads projects being capitalised in the year.
  • Council’s operating result from continuing operations ($10.4 million) was $24.9 million lower than the 2023–2024 result. This is attributed to a decrease in operational grants and contributions of $8 million and the increase in loss on disposal of assets of $12.4 million.
  • A decrease in the total cash and cash equivalents held by Council from 2024 to 2025, due to the completion of grant-funded projects. Internal allocations have increased by $1 million, and a decreased unrestricted cash balance of $700k.
  • The NSW Audit Office has expressed an unmodified opinion on Council's Financial Statements for the 2024/2025 Financial Year. This is a significant improvement on where Council was in 2021/2022 with a Disclaimer of Opinion and 2022/2023 with a Qualified Opinion on the opening balances.

Ordinary Meeting Schedule to September 2026

Council set the dates and times for Ordinary Council Meetings until September 2026.

Meetings will commence at 4.00pm on the following days:

  • Wednesday, 25 February 2026
  • Wednesday, 18 March 2026
  • Wednesday, 15 April 2026
  • Wednesday, 20 May 2026
  • Wednesday, 17 June 2026
  • Wednesday, 15 July 2026
  • Wednesday, 19 August 2026
  • Wednesday, 16 September 2026

Water PFAS update – December

Council noted the December Water PFAS update, which included key progress for the month, including:

  • Submission of Council’s PFAS funding proposal to the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW). The General Manager noted that the $4 million funding deed had been signed by Council and sent to the Department for finalisation. It is anticipated an EOI for the project will be advertised before Christmas.
  • Continued compliance of Narrabri’s treated water supply with Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
  • EPA private bore testing undertaken, with results pending.
  • Approval of the Saleyards Test Bore licence.
  • Level 3 Water Restrictions remain in place and will continue to be monitored.
  • Progress across Council’s short, medium and long-term PFAS response plan.

Australian Local Government Association National General Assembly motions

Council endorsed draft motions for submission to the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) National General Assembly 2026.

Motions include calling on the Australian Government to:

  • Formalise a strengthened framework for intergovernmental cooperation, including:
    • Improved coordination between the Commonwealth, States/Territories and local government to ensure clear, consistent roles, responsibilities and resourcing.
    • Reduced cost-shifting and unfunded mandates via transparent mechanisms for joint planning, shared accountability and equitable funding allocation.
    • Advance a constitutional recognition of local government as a critical reform to address growing fragmentation within Australia’s federation.
  • Ensure ongoing and practical financial assistance for local governments after natural disasters, including updating Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
  • Establish a permanent, indexed and non-competitive Federal funding framework for local roads. This includes replacement of expired funding programs with an ongoing Local Roads and Resilience Fund and enhancing the Roads to Recovery program.
  • Establish a coordinated, all-of-government framework for PFAS management, including sustained funding, technical guidance and regulatory alignment to support councils in monitoring, mitigation and treatment solutions.
  • Partner with local government to urgently improve regional telecommunications including connectivity issues from transition to 4G and 5G networks and increased investment in regional mobile coverage, digital capability and network resilience.

New 2025 Model Code of Meeting Practice

Council adopted the draft Code of Meeting Practice 2026, following the document’s public exhibition and submission period.

Disallowance proceedings are currently underway in NSW Parliament in relation to the regulation which mandates the new Model Code of Meeting Practice.

In the event that Parliament disallows the Local Government (General) Amendment (Model Code of Meeting Practice) Regulation 2025 (NSW), Council will re-adopt the Code of Meeting Practice 2025 (originally adopted on 20 August 2025) as its Code of Meeting Practice.

Review of Local Government Remuneration

Council endorsed the Narrabri Shire submission to the 2026 Review of Local Government Remuneration.

Additionally, Council endorsed a recommendation to remunerate the Deputy Mayor for councils in New South Wales over and above the standard Councillor fee.

Council’s submission recognises:

  • The time demands on councillors and mayors inherent to their role (regardless of a council’s size or category) along with the extra responsibilities of a Mayor.
  • Limits in the diversity of people willing to stand for council positions, especially in rural and regional areas, due to the current remuneration structure inadequately compensating councillors for the enormous responsibilities they undertake.
  • Discouragement of many potential candidates from running for office due to the financial strain that accompanies low-paid civic duties, especially when the expectation is to juggle these duties alongside full-time employment or caregiving.
  • An increase in the remuneration of councillors will reflect the value of their work and help ensure these important roles are accessible to a broader range of candidates, including those from underrepresented backgrounds.
  • Higher remuneration would foster a more diverse and representative council, encouraging participation from candidates of varying socio-economic backgrounds.
  • Higher remuneration would attract candidates who would otherwise be unable to take on such low-paid roles, but who possess the skills and passion for civic service, making councils more reflective of their communities.

2026 CREATE Art Festival

Council received and noted the CREATE Art Festival update and minutes from the recent CREATE 2026 meeting. This includes the committee’s endorsement of a new festival schedule from Friday, 2 October to Sunday, 18 October 2026 and the adopted festival theme of Water.

Free entry to pools on Australia Day

Council approved free entry to all Narrabri Shire pools as part of the 2026 Australia Day celebrations. Narrabri Shire pools will operate on the day within normal public holiday opening hours from 12.00pm to 6.00pm.

Planning Proposal to rezone land – Narrabri Bowling Club

Council endorsed a Planning Proposal to rezone land at 176 Maitland Street, Narrabri (Narrabri Bowling Club) from RE2 'Private Recreation' to E1 'Local Centre'.

The Planning Proposal, which was submitted through the NSW Planning Portal, sought to rezone the land to enable the Narrabri Bowling Club to either redevelop or sell the land at a competitive market value.

Suspension of Alcohol Free Zone for Tourist Hotel

Council approved the application to temporarily suspend the Alcohol Free Zone for Narrabri’s Tourist Hotel for a period of 12 months, within the proposed outdoor dining area in front of the hotel.

The approval supports the NSW Government’s 2023 Vibrancy legislation, which outlines a commitment to creating an environment for venues, and artists, to flourish, including supporting outdoor activation.

Inquiry into the Management of Cat Populations in NSW

Council noted the report The Inquiry into the Management of Cat Populations in NSW. The inquiry made 10 recommendations, of which seven are supported or supported in principle by the NSW Government.

Council continues to manage local cat populations by applying for grants to offer cheaper desexing programs offered by the NSW Government.

While Council has not received any funding over the past few years from the NSW Government, it has established a partnership with the NSW Cat Protection Society who have funds available for Shire residents wanting to desex, microchip and vaccinate their cats. The program is being implemented this financial year.

Donation in Lieu of rates

Council approved individual amounts totalling over $120,000 for its Annual Donation in Lieu of Ordinary Rates for charity organisations, sporting clubs and community organisations.

Other adopted recommendations

  • Endorsed the Rural Health Action Plan and reaffirmed Council's advocacy for practical and affordable reform of rural and regional health services in New South Wales.
  • Council will make a submission to the NSW Legislative Assembly Committee of Inquiry into service delivery in regional NSW.
  • Council will make a submission to the Federal Parliamentary Inquiry into local government funding with a focus on the current challenges faced by rural and regional local governments and long-term financial sustainability.
  • Appointed the General Manager’s Performance Review Panel. The Panel comprises of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Cr Jansson and Cr Whillas.
  • Received and noted advice from Inland Rail regarding engagement of specialist consultants to undertake a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment for the Narromine to Narrabri section of the project.
  • Endorsed the draft Sustainable Procurement Policy to be placed on public exhibition for 28 days (not including the Christmas closedown period).
  • Noted the Delegate Report on the minutes of the Public Art Advisory Committee meeting on 9 December.
  • Received and noted a report regarding the 2026 Australian Local Government Women’s Association (ALGWA) conference from 26 to 28 March in Blacktown City.
  • Noted the determination of tenders for cleaning services under delegation.
  • Adopted the draft amended Terms of Reference for the Audit Risk and Improvement Committee around reimbursement for forms of travel to meetings.
  • Wrote off two debtor accounts due to being assessed as either uncollectable or uneconomical to pursue.
  • Received and noted the Financial Reports for the period 1 July to 30 November 2025.
  • Received and noted the Investment Report for November 2025.
  • Appointment of Chair for the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee.

View the full list of reports received by Council at the December Ordinary Council Meeting.

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