Heartening to see response to newspapers’ return

IT has been heartening to see the community response to the return of the Wee Waa News and the Narrabri Courier.

Local newspapers are not just businesses.

They are part of the fabric of a community.

They record our milestones, ask questions, cover local events, and give communities like ours a voice of our own.

There will no doubt be some teething problems as the papers settle back in, but I think most people understand that.

The important thing is that they are back, and I wish them well as they rebuild.

I also want to reassure residents that the discussion around Inland Rail has not stopped.

Mayors right up and down the route are still meeting, as are government and representative organisations including Local Government NSW and the Australian Local Government Association.

As I have said before, the need for an efficient inland rail network in this country will not go away.

It is just looking increasingly unlikely that it will be this current federal government that delivers it properly.

Closer to home, I have recently raised concerns about a spike in crime in the Narrabri township.

Council is pushing for police to leave no stone unturned in identifying and catching those responsible.

If you see something suspicious, or witness a crime, please report it through the proper channels.

Call 000 if there is immediate danger or a crime is happening now.

For non-urgent police assistance, call 131 444.

Information can also be provided confidentially to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

What does not help is Facebook rumours.

It may feel useful in the moment, but too often it spreads fear, falsehoods and anxiety.

There has been some nonsense online suggesting council or police have moved trouble-making families into town. That is not true.

Council does not get involved in anything like that, and neither do the police.

Anonymous fearmongering makes the job harder for everyone.

Finally, I remain deeply concerned about the NSW government’s interest in a possible pipeline from Keepit Dam to Tamworth.

Tamworth’s water security is important, but it should be addressed using Tamworth’s own water sources, including the Peel River and Chaffey Dam, not by reaching into the Namoi system.

Keepit Dam water is already allocated to towns, communities and businesses along the Namoi.

If that water is redirected, the impact on Gunnedah, Boggabri, Baan Baa, Narrabri, Wee Waa and Walgett would be enormous.

Drought would bite earlier, last longer, and our towns and farms would pay the price for decades of state government failure to properly address Tamworth’s water security.

DARRELL TIEMENS, MAYOR, NARRABRI SHIRE COUNCIL