Rising fuel costs an issue across shire

Across Narrabri Shire, one issue is coming through loud and clear at the moment, the rising cost of fuel.

For our farmers, our small businesses and our families, fuel is not a discretionary expense. It is fundamental to how we live and work. When prices rise sharply, the impact is immediate and widespread. It flows through everything from freight costs to grocery bills, from farm operations to household budgets.

This is not just a local concern. Discussions are already underway between local government bodies and both state and federal governments to ensure regional communities like ours are not left behind or priced out of essential activity. In a shire like ours, where distances are large and reliance on transport is constant, the stakes are higher than they are in metropolitan areas.

It is also something we are feeling directly within council operations. Narrabri Shire is a significant consumer of fuel, with graders, heavy machinery and trucks operating across thousands of kilometres of road network. At last week’s council discussions, councillors worked with the general manager and directors to explore practical strategies to reduce fuel costs and improve efficiency across our operations. We need to stay on top of this to ensure fuel costs do not drive excessive pressure on council’s budgets.

At the same time, another issue is starting to build again, water security across the Namoi.

Next week, we will be meeting with neighbouring councils to discuss growing concerns about future water flows in the Namoi River during drought conditions. There is a proposal being considered that would see around eight per cent of Keepit Dam’s capacity reserved to support Tamworth’s industries and households during dry periods.

To be clear, Tamworth is an important regional centre and its water security matters. But Keepit Dam was built for communities west of the range, and the implications of this proposal are significant.

During the last drought, Keepit Dam levels fell to around 0.5 per cent. If additional volumes are held back upstream, it will mean the Namoi River runs dry much sooner in future droughts, with real consequences for communities from Gunnedah through to Walgett and beyond.

That affects everything, local industries including horticulture, council’s ability to maintain parks and public spaces, environmental flows, recreation, and the broader health of the river system itself.

What is particularly concerning is the level of consultation to date. There are increasing discussions happening in Macquarie Street about water solutions for Tamworth, but very little direct engagement with the communities that would ultimately bear the impact downstream.

Councils across our region will be working together to make our position clear. We cannot solve one community’s water challenges by creating larger problems for others. It is about finding balanced, long term solutions that do not disadvantage regional communities west of the divide.

Closer to home, there is also plenty happening across the shire as we head into the school holidays.

NarraBRIGHT is shaping up as a strong program this year, with the main event on Friday, April 10. It is well worth planning a weekend around it. With the street festival, guided cotton farm tours, Mount Kaputar experiences and a unique morning at the Narrabri Fish Farm, there are plenty of reasons for families to get out and explore.

The Crossing Theatre is also offering a full schedule of school holiday activities, including arts and crafts sessions, Youth Week laser tag and movie screenings, along with the Questacon Science Circus.

At last week’s ordinary council meeting, we saw steady progress across a number of key areas. We are taking a fresh look at the Wee Waa Community Precinct to better reflect community feedback, the process to fill the councillor vacancy is underway, and our financial position remains in line with expectations.

On water locally, supply remains stable and early results from additional sources are encouraging. At the same time, we continue to push strongly for overdue flood funding so recovery works can move forward.

Looking ahead, the 2026 Census will be critical. It directly impacts funding for roads, hospitals, housing and essential services. If we are undercounted, we miss out.

We saw strong evidence that Narrabri Shire was undercounted in 2021, particularly given our highly mobile population. Agricultural workers, contractors, truck drivers, mining employees and visitors moving through the region are not always captured properly by a standard approach.

I have written directly to the Australian chief statistician to outline these concerns and to call for a more tailored approach for rural and regional communities like ours. A one size fits all model simply does not reflect how places like Narrabri Shire operate.

Local knowledge is critical if we are serious about getting an accurate count, and we will continue to advocate strongly to ensure our shire is properly represented.

Most importantly, if you are in Narrabri Shire on Census night in August, make sure you complete it and make sure you are counted here.

That includes workers, visitors and anyone staying in the region at the time. Employers also have a role to play in reinforcing that message with their staff. Make sure you, your friends and your family all complete it.

There is also a significant amount of road maintenance happening across the shire this week. Crews are out grading, patching and carrying out general maintenance across a number of key roads and local streets. This work is ongoing and essential, particularly following recent weather, and we appreciate the community’s patience while these works are carried out.

Finally, Easter is just around the corner. I hope you and your family and friends get the chance to enjoy a well earned break. Please take care on the roads.