Process starts to find permanent replacement for general manager

We are embarking on the important process of finding a permanent replacement for our general manager (GM). Selecting a GM is one of the most critical decisions we will make as a council, as this role plays a significant part in shaping the shire’s future and service delivery. I have begun reaching out to top recruitment firms across NSW for expressions of interest to ensure we follow a rigorous, competitive selection process. We have until August next year to appoint the right candidate and will keep the community informed as the process unfolds.

With Christmas just around the corner, I would like to encourage everyone to support our local businesses as much as possible. Shopping close to home has numerous benefits, from finding unique gifts to directly contributing to our local economy. Our businesses offer an outstanding range of options, including experience vouchers, handcrafted items, and gifts for young and old. I have found that many items are as affordable here as they are online, if not cheaper—so let us keep our dollars local and support businesses across the entire shire.

This week, I had the pleasure of attending a Small Business Brunch in Wee Waa and took the opportunity to highlight Wee Waa’s unique offerings in conversations with the media. During my visit, I spoke with locals who are all thrilled about the arrival of new splash pads in the coming months. These family-friendly facilities are a welcome addition for young families in Wee Waa, Narrabri, and Boggabri, encouraging them to stay and raise their kids in our towns.

Next week, the Deputy Mayor and I are heading to Newcastle for a critical meeting with the heads of Hunter New England Health. When we last met in August, we provided a comprehensive list of issues and improvements needed for our Wee Waa, Narrabri, and Boggabri hospitals. They will consider these issues in response, and I am hopeful we will see some wins for our communities. With health services so crucial to our residents, we are fortunate to have a committed team of local clinicians who keep me informed about the needs and status of our hospitals. It is vital that we do not get left behind in accessing new services, and we will continue pushing for the best outcomes.

On infrastructure, the shire uses a roads hierarchy system that helps prioritise maintenance based on need. Additional state and federal support remains essential, and I will meet with the Regional Roads and Transport Minister in a couple of weeks; I know that she is very supportive of our shire, and I am hoping for good news. High on the agenda will be the overdue flood funding payments—totalling around $25 to $30 million—which have been outstanding for far too long. We are committed to advocating for the funding and resources necessary to maintain and improve our Shire’s roads.

Earlier this week, I had a productive meeting with the new mayor of Moree Plains to discuss issues we have in common, including road maintenance, housing, and crime prevention. While crime is not a major problem here compared to many other parts of rural NSW, vigilance is always important. Locking vehicles, equipment, and homes, and promptly reporting suspicious activities to the police (and not just to Facebook) are important steps we can all take. Crime deterrents and strong laws are crucial to keeping our communities safe.

Earlier this week, we also held our first ordinary council meeting on Monday night, addressing a number of significant matters. Among the items, we approved a development application for a car wash in Narrabri, confirmed councillor appointments to a variety of internal and external committees, and granted concessional use of The Crossing Theatre for several upcoming community events. This meeting also marked an important milestone, as it was the first time in recent memory that our council convened in the evening. Going forward, ordinary council meetings will be held on the third Wednesday of each month at 5.30pm in the council chambers on Maitland Street, Narrabri. It was encouraging to see both residents in the gallery and others participating online, engaging with the work of their council.

For those wondering how to address issues they notice around the shire, I highly recommend the “SNAP SEND SOLVE” app. With this tool, you can report issues like potholes, abandoned shopping trolleys, or damaged signage directly from your smartphone. It is easy to use, and your report is directed to the appropriate authority—be it council, Coles, Transport for NSW, or some other authority—keeping you updated on the response.

As always, I appreciate your support and involvement in making Narrabri Shire a vibrant, safe, and connected community. Let us keep up the outstanding work and have a wonderful lead-up to Christmas together!