From the Council Chambers - May
Published on 21 May 2026
Some meetings are about day-to-day decisions. Others reveal the bigger pressures shaping regional communities. Last week’s Council Meeting was firmly the latter.
From housing and water security to Inland Rail uncertainty, long-term financial sustainability and the future direction of community facilities, much of the evening’s discussion centred on how Narrabri Shire positions itself in a changing regional landscape.
Housing, Water & Inland Rail: Council’s Advocacy Beyond the Shire
The meeting opened with Council turning its attention beyond Narrabri Shire boundaries and toward two issues carrying significant implications for regional communities across inland NSW - water security and Inland Rail.
Councillors unanimously endorsed a submission regarding the proposed East Tamworth rezoning project, supporting the need for additional housing while strongly advocating for clearer long-term water security planning.
Discussion throughout the chamber acknowledged the importance of Tamworth’s growth to the broader North West region, while reinforcing that downstream communities cannot afford to have their own water security compromised in the process.
“We [Triple R Water Security Alliance] expressed our very strong support for the Government to sort out Tamworth’s water security”, Mayor Tiemens said, referring to discussions earlier that day between the Alliance and government representatives.
“Tamworth is a very important piece in the North West, without Tamworth so many of us would really struggle”.
Mayor Tiemens also advised Councillors there had been a commitment from the Water Minister that Alliance councils would be consulted moving forward while alternative options continue to be investigated.
“There was a commitment from the Water Minister that each of our Council’s would be consulted and kept in the loop moving forward, and that the Department would investigate some of the other suggested options to sure up water security for Tamworth”.
The chamber repeatedly returned to one central message: regional growth must be supported by sustainable water planning, not short-term redistribution from already vulnerable inland systems.
“Don’t take water from drier parts of the state, for other parts,” Mayor Tiemens said.
Councillor Jansson echoed those concerns, describing the proposal to source water from Lake Keepit as “incredibly short sighted” and warning it risked increasing pressure on communities already reliant on the system.
In the following paper of the evening, Council also unanimously backed advocacy calling for urgent clarity from the Federal Government regarding the future of Inland Rail and the growing uncertainty surrounding the project.
Rather than focusing solely on the project itself, discussion centred heavily around the ripple effect already being felt through regional communities, businesses and local economies.
“We’re seeking clarity from the Minister around what that actually means for our Council and what that means for all the land that has been purchased up and down that corridor,” Mayor Tiemens said.
“There is a lot of question marks… there is a seething anger right up and down the line”.
Councillor Jansson spoke at length about the financial impact already being experienced by businesses that expanded operations in direct response to Inland Rail engagement and procurement activity.
“They geared up in order to have the capacity to deliver… and they did just that and this comes at great financial cost to them,” she said, highlighting concerns about the long-term economic consequences for regional suppliers and contractors.
Budget, Growth & the Balancing Act Ahead
Much of Tuesday night’s meeting focused on the road ahead, not just what Council hopes to deliver over the next financial year, but how local government continues delivering while facing increasing financial pressure.
At the centre of discussion was Council’s draft 2026/2027 Operational Plan and budget, which currently forecasts a deficit position of approximately $5.5 million.
General Manager Eloise Chaplain addressed the chamber candidly, acknowledging the seriousness of the position while reinforcing that Narrabri Shire is far from alone.
“We are not unique here in Narrabri Shire, this is right across NSW,” she said, pointing to rising costs, ageing infrastructure, grant dependency and increasing cost shifting onto councils.
“This operational plan is not where we want to be, but it is where we are, we can’t escape that”.
Councillors heard that compared to last year’s proposed budget, Council’s total income is forecast to decrease by 7%, including a 60% reduction in grant revenue, mainly due to a 48% reduction in capital grants. Investment income is also expected to fall by 11%.
At the same time, Council’s operating costs continue to rise, with employee costs increasing by 6%, while materials and services have effectively remained flat despite inflationary pressures.
Director of Corporate and Community Services Mark Watt told Councillors the budget had been heavily scrutinised to limit unnecessary expenditure while maintaining service delivery.
“We have worked this budget really hard,” he said.
Mr Watt also noted that borrowing costs are projected to decrease by 18% as Council continues to reduce existing loans, despite new borrowings anticipated into the future.
Discussion throughout the evening repeatedly returned to one key point, Council is not standing still.
Staff detailed the significant work already underway reviewing fees and charges, rating categories, long-term assets, services and operational efficiency as part of a broader Financial Future Sustainability Strategy.
“LGNSW did a recent report and within NSW it is around $1.5B in cost shifting to councils which is about $500 per rate payer,” Ms Chaplain said.
“It’s not the end point this operational plan, but it is an honest start point for this year”.
Mayor Tiemens acknowledged the reality of the conversations ahead, saying the questions being raised around savings, revenue and service delivery are the same questions the community will rightly be asking as well.
Councillors also discussed the difficult balance between rates and services.
“Everyone wants lower rates… but it would come at a cost of lower services,” Mayor Tiemens said.
The discussion was not solely focused on constraints. There was also strong focus on what Council wants to continue delivering into the future.
“I really would love to be a progressive Council, renew and sustain our assets to a standard that is acceptable to the community, and to have some great events and be a really great place to live,” Ms Chaplain told Councillors.
Alongside the financial discussions, Councillors also reviewed quarterly progress and capital works reporting, which showed significant infrastructure projects continuing across the Shire, with major tenders moving into delivery phases and planning activity remaining strong.
The draft Operational Plan, Revenue Policy and associated budget documents were endorsed by Council and will now go on public exhibition, giving the community the opportunity to review the documents and provide feedback before final adoption.
Community Feedback Sought on Aquatic Facilities Management
One of the evening’s more community-focused discussions centred around Council’s draft Aquatic Facilities Management Policy and Plan, which will now head to public exhibition.
The document looks at how Council’s aquatic facilities are managed into the future, including operational expectations, usage and broader long-term planning considerations.
The report speaks to the important role these facilities play across the Shire, particularly during warmer months when pools become more than recreation spaces, but places for families, fitness, social connection and community activity.
The community now has the opportunity to review the draft document and provide feedback before it returns to Council for consideration.
Recognising Culture, Respecting Protocols
Council also endorsed the draft Aboriginal Cultural Protocols and Practices Policy for public exhibition.
The policy aims to provide guidance around culturally respectful engagement and practices across Council operations and events, while strengthening consistency and understanding across the organisation.
Discussion from Director of Corporate and Community Services, Mark Watt, acknowledged the importance of ensuring cultural recognition is meaningful, respectful and embedded into the way Council works with community.
Community feedback will now help shape the final version of the policy before it is brought back to Council.
In Summary
- Budgets.
- Projects.
- Growth.
- Community spaces.
- Cultural recognition.
Tuesday night’s meeting offered a glimpse into the decisions, planning and conversations shaping Narrabri Shire’s next chapter. Council encourages the community to get involved with these conversations and provide feedback on the documents now on public exhibition via Council’s website.