Narrabri Shire Council reports investment interest in Narrabri Shire has soared as development of the proposed Northern NSW Inland Port gathers momentum.
“The number of investors speaking to council and wanting to
conduct business in Narrabri Shire has soared significantly following the state government announcement of $16.8 million in funding for the construction of stage one of the Northern
NSW Inland Port last month, the Independent Planning Commission’s approval of the Santos Narrabri gas project, and the federal government announcement of $7.8 million as part of the 2021 budget,” council’s general manager Stewart Todd said.
“Since these announcements, council has had enquiries from ‘double digit’ investor numbers, at least 15, interested in pursuing business opportunities in the shire.
“The enquiries are coming from a large range of businesses across many industry sectors including commercial, industrial and hospitality.
“All of them have expressed their interest in relocating or expanding their operations to the shire.
“The amount of interest we have had is significant and genuine – it is an exciting time for our shire.”
“Council and local businesses are already seeing the fruits of strategic staffing changes at council implemented late last year to ensure council was ready to capitalise on both existing and emerging opportunities,” council general manager Stewart Todd said.
“We have been planning to capitalise on opportunities now for some time, and have made deliberate staffing changes.
“Council has also adopted and put in place a Local Strategic Planning Statement and a revised Growth Management Strategy that will allow the shire to capitalise on the rising number of opportunities and provide land for both residential and industrial purposes.
“Council’s key staff, economic development manager Mr Bill Birch, who has a focus on new economic development projects, and small business liaison officer Gilly Goddard, who focuses on assisting already established business in the shire, are ready to assist any business looking to seize the opportunities here in Narrabri Shire.
“This swell of business interest is certainly welcomed, any investors looking to establish themselves or relocate are urged to contact council to discuss how they can ‘discover their potential’ in the Narrabri Shire.”
The Narrabri gas project has triggered strong interest from several major players, Santos said.
“Customers are lining up to buy Narrabri gas and we already have Memorandums Of Understanding with Perdaman, Brickworks and Weston Energy,” Santos chief executive officer Kevin Gallagher said.
“With gas as the enabler and as the Inland Rail project continues to develop, there are incredible opportunities for jobs, economic investment and regional development in Narrabri.”
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