It is that time of year again where we celebrate all things ‘Local Government’ for the Annual Local Government Week, which runs from August 3-9, and this year’s theme is ‘Council’s Do’.

In the past 12 months Council has faced some unprecedented events, such as the ongoing COVID19 pandemic, bushfires and the severity of a prolonged drought.

However, during these challenges, Council has progressed and completed many large scale infrastructure projects for the Shire community, as well as maintaining a high standard of day-to-day service delivery as well.

The theme ‘Council Do’ could not be more accurate, this year more than ever! Local Government Week presents an opportunity to move beyond the three ‘R’s’ – ‘roads, rates and rubbish’ and highlight how closely Council is involved in our community. Everything from council-managed libraries, cemeteries, sports fields and pools, to food safety checks, museums and galleries, building and development and pet registrations – which are all operated by councils.

It’s also an opportunity to highlight the large statewide contribution that this sector provides as a whole. For example: • Local government in NSW employs more than 55,000 people;
• Looks after more than $136 billion of community assets
• In previous years, local government spent $2 billion on caring for the environment including recycling and waste management, stormwater management and preserving and protecting our native flora and fauna;
• NSW has 450 council-run libraries that attract more than 34.8 million visits each year;
• Local government in NSW is responsible for around 90% of the state’s roads and bridges;
• NSW councils manage an estimated 3.5 million tonnes of waste each year;
• NSW councils own and manage more than 600 museums, galleries, theatres and art centres.

During this week, Council hosted free barbecues with the community, at five centres within the Shire. All residents and community members were invited to attend and meet up with councillors and council staff who were on site to answer questions and promote discussions.

It was great to see many residents attending and participating at the Narrabri event – the Visitor Information Centre on Monday, Anzac Park at Gwabegar on Tuesday, and Middle Park in Merton Street at Boggabri on Wednesday. We attended the Wee Waa Green Space in Rose Street today, and will be in Pilliga at the Community Centre in Lagoon Street on Friday if anyone would like to attend the last free event of the week.

It was great to see Sam Farraway MLC visit the Shire last week, as part of his regular visits and his genuine interest within Narrabri Shire, and how we are progressing with recent infrastructure developments.

It was very pleasing to also accept a $900,000 Drought Stimulus Grant for the Shire, of which $350,000 will go towards the beautification of significant buildings in CBD areas of towns and villages throughout the Shire.

The Narrabri Creek Shared Path is also set to benefit from $300,000 going towards the construction of a 500 metre shared path between Number One and Number Two Ovals and $70,000 towards the construction of a path from Ugoa Street to Mooloobar Street, along the Western side of the lake.

These projects allow Council to continue to make positive improvements across the Shire, with construction providing an economic boost utilising local resources and suppliers.

We look forward to seeing the completion of these projects, and are thankful to the NSW State Government for providing this boost that is very much welcomed by our community.

Cr Cathy Redding, Narrabri Shire Council Mayor

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