From the mayor’s desk

By Cr Darrell Tiemens

Today, Thursday, August 15, marks a very important day in Australia’s annual calendar: VP (Victory in the Pacific) Day.

This date commemorates Japan’s acceptance of the Allied demand for unconditional surrender made on August 14, 1945.

For Australians, it meant that the Second World War was finally over.

Please take a moment to pause and reflect during the day as we remember all those many Narrabri Shire families and loved ones who were affected by this war, as well as all other conflicts that our nation has been involved in.

In addition, I’d like to remind everyone that the Wee Waa Show is on this weekend.

This event is a highlight of our local calendar and is famous throughout regional NSW.

There are plenty of activities for both the young and the old to enjoy.

A big thank you goes to the tireless efforts of the show committee volunteers and all the sponsors who make this event possible.

I strongly encourage everyone to attend and support this fantastic event.

As we approach the upcoming local government election, I want to take this opportunity to remind everyone that the caretaker period begins this Friday.

This period, which runs until election day, is a critical time for maintaining the integrity and impartiality of our local government processes.

During the caretaker period, as outlined in clause 393B of the Local Government Regulation 2021, council is restricted from entering into any contracts or undertakings involving the expenditure or receipt of amounts equal to or greater than $150,000.

These restrictions ensure that no major decisions or financial commitments are made that could influence the outcome of the election.

This Friday also marks the first day of our new interim general manager, Eloise Chaplin.

Eloise comes to us with impressive qualifications in both engineering and finance.

Her expertise will be invaluable as she oversees the Shire’s operational activities.

I encourage everyone to make Eloise feel welcome as she settles into her new role.

Her leadership will be crucial in guiding our shire through this period and ensuring that we continue to deliver the best outcomes for our community.

I would also like to remind residents that the application window for council’s Community Financial Assistance Grant closes this Thursday, August 15.

This grant provides vital support for local community projects and initiatives, so if you or your group have been considering applying, please do so promptly.

More information and the registration process can be found on council’s website under the Community Financial Assistance Grant page.

For those involved in organising community events, council is offering an online event management course.

This self-paced eLearning program is a fantastic opportunity for local groups, clubs, not-for-profits, and businesses to enhance their event management skills.

The course includes online group sessions with experts in event management, providing valuable insights and practical advice.

Expressions of interest close at 5pm on Wednesday, August 28, so I encourage all interested parties to apply by visiting council’s website.

Lastly, I want to remind residents that bulky waste collection will take place next week, from Monday, August 19 to Friday, August 23, across Narrabri Shire towns and villages.

This collection coincides with your usual general waste bin collection day, so please take advantage of this service to dispose of large household items.

On a less positive note, I regret to inform you that the Selina/Guest Street footpath project has experienced delays due to vandalism shortly after the concrete was poured.

We have engaged a contractor to repair the damage, and we appreciate your patience as we work to resolve this issue.

Additionally, high-pressure cleaning of the Wee Waa CBD is currently underway, aiming to enhance the appearance and cleanliness of our town.

Thank you for your ongoing support for our shire.

Together, we can continue to make Narrabri Shire a wonderful place to live and work.

To order photos from this page click here