40kmh Maitland Street speed limit awaiting endorsement

A 40kmh speed limit for Maitland Street, in Narrabri’s CBD, is awaiting approval from Transport for NSW.

During last week’s Narrabri Shire Council meeting, councillors queried some items on the resolution register including the CBD speed limit change.

At the December 2024 meeting of council, councillors endorsed a plan make Maitland Street, between Killarney Street and Bowen Street, a 40kmh zone.

During the public exhibition period, 183 community members provided feedback with 81 per cent of respondents supporting the proposed change.

Feedback from the survey indicated support for additional improvements to Maitland Street, including additional lighting, more shade, the inclusion of multiple pedestrian crossings, additional seating, accessibility for wheelchairs and prams as well as a focus on having vacant sites cleaned up.

At last week’s meeting, general manager Eloise Chaplain said the speed limit’s approval is awaiting Transport for NSW endorsement.

“Once we get that endorsement, there’s quite a number of hoops we have to jump through even though we’ve approved it,” Mrs Chaplain said.

Councillors also sought an update on council’s initiative for members of the public to dob in road sign vandals. Earlier this year, council offered a reward for information that leads to the successful prosecution of vandals targeting roadside signs between Wee Waa and Rowena.

Mayor Darrell Tiemens said police hadn’t been flooded with leads as a result of council’s call for information from the community.

“I think they’ve put their best efforts into trying to identify any offenders,” Cr Tiemens said.

“But at this stage it hasn’t quite led to any apprehensions, unfortunately.

“It’s certainly sent out a warning signal anyway.”