Works on splash parks in shire towns as well as civic and community centres are some of the many projects forming part of Narrabri Shire Council’s draft operational plan and budget now on public exhibition.
The documents were tabled at an extraordinary meeting of council last week and were released for public comment.
For the next financial year, council is forecasting an overall budget surplus of $309,000.
Rate increases will also be in line with the peg set by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).
Addressing the special meeting, mayor Darrell Tiemens described the draft budget as prudent and cautious.
“I’m very glad that we are in Narrabri Shire compared to some of the other places across NSW that have had to apply for some massive IPART rate increases,” Cr Tiemens said.
“I think that prudence really holds us in good stead for future years.”
Funds sourced from Resources for Regions will be used to construct splash parks in Boggabri’s Vickery Park, Wee Waa’s Ludiwici Park and Narrabri’s Pirate Park.
Carryover funds will also be used for works at Narrabri’s Dangar Park.
Continued upgrades to shire roads also features prominently, with more than $17 million allocated to major projects.
Community facilities, including The Crossing Theatre, will be upgraded while work is expected to start within the next financial year on the Boggabri Civic Precinct and the Wee Waa Community Centre.
Charges for most services, including water and sewer as well as fees at council facilities will rise between four and five per cent.
Single pool entry will increase by $1 across facilities in Narrabri, Boggabri and Wee Waa. Long-term passes will also increase in price.
Cr Tiemens praised the work by council general manager Rob Williams and staff in preparing the documents.
“They have really tried to rein things in and keep them at a steady pace,” Cr Tiemens said. “Things won’t always be comfortable for this shire but I think it’s important that we stay focused on being prudent, being cautious, being careful and I think that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
Cr Ron Campbell, who moved the motion to place the plans on public display, expressed similar sentiment.
“It’s always a tough job putting a budget together,” Cr Campbell said.
“We are a council that has been well managed for several years hence why we haven’t had to increase our rates other than what IPART has allowed us to do.”
Cr Cathy Redding seconded the motion.
Cr Lisa Richardson encouraged community members to view the plans and have their say.
“At the end of the day it is their fees and their charges,” Cr Richardson said.
“We want to make sure that we are representing them correctly.”
The vote was put to the floor and carried unanimously by Crs Tiemens, Campbell, Redding, Richardson and Cr Brett Dickinson.
The 2024/2025 Operational Plan and Budget can be viewed online via council’s website.
Members of the public are invited to make comments on these draft policies until 5pm on Tuesday, June 4.
Submissions must be made in writing to the general manager via post to Narrabri Shire Council, PO Box 261 Narrabri NSW 2390 or email to [email protected]
Hard copies of the plan are available for public viewing at council’s administration building (46-49 Maitland Street, Narrabri), Narrabri Region Visitor Information Centre (103 Tibbereena Street, Narrabri), The Crossing Theatre (117 Tibbereena Street, Narrabri), Narrabri Library (8 Doyle Street, Narrabri), Wee Waa Library (106 Rose Street, Wee Waa) and Boggabri Library (82 Wee Waa Street, Boggabri).
