“What will become of all the surplus masks when the COVID crisis winds down?” a Topical reader wonders. “I have several dozen strategically left at home, at work and in the car in case I forget one. There must be millions lying around.”This recalled for Topical the huge waste disposal controversy of quite a few years ago – where to site a ‘toxic waste’ incinerator in NSW? Various regional sites were mooted, including in Narrabri Shire but it was considered a very undesirable facility to have in anyone’s area. Where did it eventually go? Another controversy of yesteryear swirled around the location of a new gaol in country NSW. Narrabri was considered after the Narrabri gaol was closed – meetings, petitions and letters to the editor ensued but ultimately the new Narrabri gaol idea faded.

To order photos from this page click here