Council budget, operational plan on public exhibition

Narrabri Shire Council has placed its draft operational plan and budget on public exhibition.

Before grants and contributions, council estimates a $4.7 million deficit for the financial year. Capital grants and contributions are expected to increase on the previous year, with a total net operating result of a $22.6 million surplus.

Overall rate revenue will increase in line with the rate peg set by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal and below the rate of inflation.

A breakdown of general rates shows the average residential assessment will increase from $706.55 to $741.87 in Boggabri, Narrabri from $1243.35 to $1289.44 and Wee Waa from $736.49 to $763.81. The average assessment for business will rise from $914.48 to $960.20 in Boggabri, $1195.56 to $1239.92 in Narrabri and $1805.94 to $1872.89 in Wee Waa.

The average assessment for farmland will increase from $4153.33 to $4307.20 and mining from $260,583.64 to $270,257.36.

Council is allocating $30.8 million to transport infrastructure.

Among the major road projects listed for the financial year, include $4.4 million for a Pilliga Road upgrade, $1.8 million for Doreen Lane rehabilitation, $2.3 million for the freight route upgrade from Yarrie Lake Road to Pilliga Road, $7 million for flood restoration works and $1.7 million for an intersection upgrade at Old Narrabri Road and Turrawan Road.

Parks and open spaces in the shire will benefit from $4.8 million in spending.

This includes almost $1.5 million to upgrade and install additional fencing, grandstand and pathways at Dangar Park.

Narrabri netball courts will also receive a $615,000 upgrade, two multi-purpose tennis courts installed at Wee Waa and lighting replaced at Leitch Oval.

Among the allocations in the budget include $1.5 million to develop the former Boggabri Bowling Club into a civic precinct and the $1.5 million refurbishment of the former NAB branch building in Wee Waa.

Funds will also be spent to install a backup generator at The Crossing Theatre to increase its functionality as an emergency evacuation centre.

At an extraordinary meeting on May 2, council resolved to place the draft operational plan and budget on public display for 28 days.

The draft documents include the budget for both operational and capital projects, the rates structure and proposed fees and charges for council facilities and services.

Mayor Ron Campbell said he was pleased with the proposed actions and works for the coming financial year.

“The draft budget and plans are critical to our shire’s future, and I encourage the community to review these documents and let us know if our priorities need amending,” Cr Campbell said.

Council reviews its operational plan and budget and delivery program each year.

In a statement, council said the document is its commitment to the community on how it will work towards the goals set in the Narrabri Shire 2022/2032 Community Strategic Plan.

The documents detail what programs, projects and activities council will undertake and how it will fund them.

Hard copies of the draft documents are available at council’s Maitland Street administration building, the Narrabri Region Visitor Information Centre, The Crossing Theatre, Narrabri Library, Wee Waa Library and Boggabri Library.