October Council Meeting Outcomes

Published on 16 October 2025

Council has voted against entering into a licence agreement with Geni.Energy for the use of Council-owned land at the originally proposed site for a Community Battery in Narrabri.

At the April 2025 Ordinary Council Meeting, Council resolved to delay the decision for at least three months to allow for additional briefings and investigation of an alternate site. The Namoi Street Saleyards was identified as a potential alternative; however, investigations found the existing electrical infrastructure at the location was already operating at full capacity. The report concluded that adding a community battery at that site could jeopardise critical water supply to the Narrabri township unless significant network upgrades were undertaken.

Following these findings, Council reconsidered the original location but ultimately resolved not to proceed with the proposed licence agreement.

New 2025 Model Code of Practice

Council endorsed the Draft Code of Meeting Practice 2025 for public exhibition for a period of at least 28 days and accept submissions for a period of 42 days.

The NSW Office of Local Government (OLG) released the 2025 Model Code of Meeting Practice with the requirement that Council have its new COMP adopted by 31 December 2025.

Some of the key changes include:

• The Mayor may now call an Extraordinary Council Meeting without the need to obtain two Councillors’ signatures.
• Public forum provisions are now mandatory and must be livestreamed.
• The process for dealing with ‘Matters of Great Urgency’ has been simplified, however such matters can only be dealt with at Ordinary and Extraordinary Council Meetings where all Councillors are present.
• Briefing sessions are now prohibited from being held to brief councillors on business listed on the agenda for Meetings of the council or committees of the council.

Following the conclusion of the public exhibition and submission period, a report will be presented to Council with the inclusion of any submissions received, with the recommendation that the draft COMP be adopted. 

Appointment of Council Delegates

The appointment of the 2025 / 2026 delegates was brought early to last month’s Council Meeting following the election of Cr Whillas who replaced former Cr Roberts-Garnsey. The early review also provided an opportunity for councillors to nominate for different committees for the coming 12 months.

Notable changes include the appointment of Cr Towns as the delegate for the Wee Waa Hospital Advisory Committee, with Cr Whillas named as the alternate delegate.

Provision of Council Services for War Remembrance Events

Council has endorsed a financial program to support the safe and respectful delivery of memorial services and street marches held across the Narrabri Shire. The program will assist with coordination and operational costs, ensuring commemorative events are well-organised and appropriately resourced.

The initiative provides a clear framework for community groups and organisations, outlining procedures, responsibilities and the level of support Council will provide for Military and War remembrance events. It also aims to improve efficiency around event organisation, including road closure applications and traffic management arrangements.

Funding will be allocated over multiple years from Council’s Community Assistance Scheme (63151 Donations) as follows:

• $18,000 for the 2025/26 financial year
• $26,000 for the 2026/27 financial year
• $28,000 for the 2027/28 financial year
• $30,000 for the 2028/29 financial year

Council acknowledges these commemorations as significant national occasions that honour the service and sacrifice of Australian and New Zealand Defence Force personnel.

Gwabegar Hall

Council has resolved to dissolve the Section 355 Committee, known as the Gwabegar Community Hall Committee. Management of the Gwabegar Community Hall — including bookings, maintenance and utility payments — will now be overseen directly by Council.

Council acknowledges the hall’s significance as an important community asset. The decision follows the discovery that the hall’s electricity supply had been disconnected for some time and that the committee was unable to meet ongoing maintenance and operational costs.

Council’s direct management will allow for necessary clean-up works and a full assessment to help identify opportunities for future use and improvement of the facility.

Infrastructure Delivery – October 2025

Council received and noted the Infrastructure Delivery Status Report for October 2025. Notable works include:

• Stage 1 solar lights have been installed behind Hogan and Leitch Oval along the shared pathway. Stage 2 will commence soon.
• Shade sails were installed over the three splash pads in time for the warm weather.
• Lights at the Wee Waa multi-purpose courts can now be turned on using an E-switch.
• A further 2.5km of Harparary Road has been sealed.
• Drilling and flow testing for a potential bore site at the Narrabri Saleyards is underway. 

Water Restriction Enforcement Policy

Council has adopted the Water Restriction Enforcement Policy, which provides clear guidelines for how Council will enforce water restrictions and manage compliance matters.

While Council already has the authority to issue fines, the new policy establishes a framework that focuses on education and communication with the community before progressing to enforcement action.

The policy supports the recently adopted 2025 Drought Management Plan and comes as the Narrabri township moves to Level 3 water restrictions.

Other adopted recommendations

• Council supports the Murrary Darling Association’s urgent call for Federal funding to implement the National Carp Control Plan and its recommendations.
• Council passed Cr Dickinsons motion that Council write to Transport for NSW requesting that turning lanes urgently be implemented on both approaches of Harparary Road from the Kamilaroi Highway, due to safety concerns with an increase of traffic along the highway.
• Council notes the letter received from the NSW Local Government Grants Commission regarding an error for the 2024/25 grant component. Despite the error, there was no financial implications for the current years funding.
• Council nominated Samara Woolley as the newly appointed Native Title Manager.
• Council received and noted the monthly Flood Damage status report, with all phases in progress and on track for their specified timeframe.
• The Donation in Lieu of Rates report was deferred to the November Ordinary Council Meeting to allow further clarification around eligibility for certain businesses operating on Crown Land.

To view the full agenda and reports from the October Ordinary Council Meeting and watch the recording of the meeting, visit www.narrabri.nsw.gov.au/You-Council/Council-Meeting