The community learned more of the early stage of a proposed draft strategy for the future of Narrabri last Wednesday. Representatives of the Department of Planning presented an overview of the strategy, which looks 20 years ahead, to the audience at The Crossing Theatre’s Riverside Room.
The draft Narrabri Place Strategy has been put on public exhibition by the Department of Planning.
The NSW government and Narrabri Shire Council are seeking community feedback on the future of Narrabri and how they would like to see the town grow and evolve over the next 20 years.
Once the exhibition period closes, the department will assess the feedback and consider changes that need to be made to the strategy.
The Narrabri Place Strategy is expected to be finalised in 2025.
“The draft Narrabri Place Strategy identifies the potential for up to 2100 homes on flood-free land supported by local amenities in the residential precinct,”the Department of Planning explains.
“The rezoning of land under the draft strategy applies across three precincts, residential, ‘employment lands’ and the Inland Port precinct.
“The proposal will allow for a rezoning of land for new homes, community facilities, infrastructure and services to revitalise the area.
“The proposal also includes rezoning land connected to the inland rail to accommodate new investment and employment opportunities.
“It aims to build a vibrant and growing community to stimulate development, encourage population growth and provide new investment opportunities to further support the existing township.
“The draft Narrabri Place Strategy will deliver:
“An ‘Eat Street’ concept within Narrabri town centre.
“The Lakeside Village, previously Narrabri West, will leverage off its central location within Narrabri township to improve amenity for residents through new and existing sport, recreation and social infrastructure.
“A residential precinct to accommodate up to 2100 new homes in a flood-free area with a mix of detached and medium density housing types, mixed-use village centre, and health and education facilities.
“Rezoning of the Employment Land and Northern Inland Port precinct to accommodate new economic and social opportunities.
“The Northern NSW Inland Port (N2IP) is still proceeding and will be delivered by Narrabri Shire Council.
“It is proposed to rezone the N2IP precinct to a general industrial zone which will expand the permitted range of land uses from its current zoning to include renewable energy, manufacturing, high-value agricultural activities, waste recycling, and research and development.
“This will allow Narrabri’s economy to diversify through improved opportunities that will be located within this precinct.
Once the strategy is finalised, the land will be rezoned according to the final strategy and Narrabri Shire Council will be the consent authority for the majority of new development in the area.
