$2.5 million question: What do residents want to do with Wee Waa CBD grant funding?

Earlier this year, Wee Waarians welcomed news of a $2.5 million grant through the Resources for Regions fund, but the big question now is what to do with the major funding boost.

Narrabri Shire Council secured the grant of $2,554,705 for the proposed Wee Waa Community and Business Hub and consultation about the future use of the old National Australia Bank building and War Memorial area has been underway.

In 2021, NAB closed the bank’s Wee Waa branch and gifted the Rose Street premises to Narrabri Shire Council for community use. It’s understood one of the conditions of the gift transfer is the premises can’t be used by another bank.

Following the additional $2.5 million grant announcement for the proposed Community and Business Hub, residents are being urged to have their say as council conducts a consultation process blitz involving workshops, a survey, and key staff attending community meetings and council-run barbecues to discuss the project, gather feedback and encourage participation.

This week council officers held sessions at the old NAB building ,the Wee Waa CBD and surrounds masterplan survey is available on council’s website or paper copies can be collected at NSC locations such as the Wee Waa library.

The survey is open until Friday, August 11.

Council representatives attended last week’s monthly Wee Waa and District Chamber of Commerce meeting as part of the consultation process and members were encouraged to make the most of the “huge opportunity for Wee Waa”.

“This is a chance to future proof ourselves,” said chamber president John Clements, who added it was the chance for residents to think about “who you are and where you’re going”.

Narrabri Shire Council representatives – senior governance advisor Alice Gemmell-Smith, manager of parks and open spaces Evan Harris, and new community engagement officer Rachael Anderson – attended the meeting as part of NSC’s commitment to engaging with the Wee Waa community in the development of a master plan for the redevelopment of the old NAB Building, enhancement of the War Memorial Grove, and improvement of Dangar Park.

Future upgrades at Dangar Park are a separate project but council is using the community hub consultation process to gather feedback, so residents don’t get ‘workshop fatigue’.

Ideas floated for Dangar Park included a walking track, leash-free area, for dogs, non-sport recreation park, and more caravan parking.

The master plan initiative seeks to provide a strategic vision for the area’s development, design, and utilisation.

Council said it believes collaboration with community members is essential to ensure that the final plan reflects the values and desires of the diverse community it serves.

Attendees at last week’s chamber meeting put a variety of proposals for the space on the table, discussed and debated different ideas but it was stressed consultation was still ongoing and no final decisions about what to do with the old NAB building have been made yet.

Alice Gemmell-Smith explained once the draft masterplan was completed, it needed to be endorsed by council before being placed on public exhibition for 28 days for community feedback, it will then be sent back to council with all feedback obtained during the 28 day exhibition period for councillors to decide whether they are satisfied it reflects the community’s wishes and ideas and adopt or reject it and request further consultation.

Ideas put forward by chamber members at last week’s chamber meeting included: a tourism hub and cultural area; a community multipurpose centre to cater for a range of individuals, professionals and groups, for example, a band area and storage space, office for a NSC representative, office for services such as Service NSW, Anglicare and a help point for older residents needing assistance with technology, storage space for community and chamber furniture; memorial wall; public amenities; community kiosk; CCTV viewing room; ‘return and earn’ at the back of the building; relocate art and cultural centre.

The chamber didn’t vote on or commit to supporting one proposal, attendees noted ‘the town didn’t need another hall’ and a number of members voiced their concerns stating plans ‘shouldn’t conflict with other businesses in town’.

NSC representatives were asked about the funding guidelines and if the grant could be used to pay the wage of staff at the site, but it was explained staff costs are ineligible as the funds cannot be used for operational expenditure.

Additionally, it was explained the $2.5 million was secured for the redevelopment of the old NAB Building (at 75 Rose St), and therefore that is the only area where the funding can be spent.

The project is required to be completed by April 30, 2026.

NSC said developing a master plan will ensure council understands what the community wants, help residents identify what is important, enable the strategic and cohesive delivery of projects in the Wee Waa central business district, and help additional secure grant funds for the community in the future.

Council said it encourages residents to actively participate and share their thoughts on the following key areas:

Old NAB Building: What types of services, amenities, and activities would you like to see in the new community building? How can it best serve the needs of our community, fostering social interactions, and facilitating personal growth and development?

War Memorial Grove with the CBD: What would you like to see included at War Memorial Grove? How can the immediate CBD area surrounding War Memorial Grove be revitalised to create a vibrant and attractive urban hub? How would you like to see War Memorial Grove integrated with the redevelopment of the Old NAB Building?

Dangar Park: What features, facilities, and recreational opportunities would you like to have in the park? How can the park be designed to promote physical activity, environmental sustainability, and community engagement? What elements would enhance its beauty, accessibility, and inclusivity?

When the Wee Waa Community and Business Hub was discussed at February’s council meeting it was noted previous feedback submitted about potential uses for the old NAB building would still be considered as part of the overall decision-making process.