Focus remains on practical outcomes for shire communities

DARRELL TIEMENS, MAYOR, NARRABRI SHIRE COUNCIL

At council’s September meeting, I was re-elected mayor and Cr Brett Nolan was re-elected deputy mayor, with both positions receiving unanimous support.

I appreciate the confidence shown by my fellow councillors and thank everyone who has sent messages of support.

There is a great deal of work ahead, and our focus remains on practical outcomes for communities across the shire amidst significantly lower levels of financial support from both the federal and state governments.

One of the honours of serving as mayor is presiding over citizenship ceremonies.

Last week we welcomed a number of new Australian citizens to our community.

These ceremonies are always significant occasions, marking the end of one journey and the beginning of another.

I congratulate our newest citizens and wish them every success as they make their lives here.

Water security also remains high on the agenda.

During the fortnight I joined representatives from Gunnedah and Walgett shires on a tour of the Namoi system.

Our councils are firmly opposed to any diversion of water from the Namoi to provide additional water security for Tamworth.

We have made those concerns clear to NSW Water Minister Rose Jackson and have appealed to the minister to ensure the water security of downstream communities, agriculture and the river system is not compromised.

With warmer weather approaching, now is also the time for households and landholders to review or prepare their Bush Fire Survival Plan.

The NSW Rural Fire Service recommends knowing your risk, deciding in advance what you will do if fire threatens, preparing your property and keeping up to date with warnings.

It was very good to see such a strong turnout at the free community barbecue last Saturday on the lawns of Wee Waa Hospital.

The event welcomed new nurses and thanked those already serving the community. Congratulations to the CWA of Wee Waa, Wee Waa Lions Club, the Wee Waa Hospital Auxiliary and the other organisations involved.

It was a strong demonstration of support for the hospital and its staff.

On Saturday night I also attended the Spring Plains Ball, Twilight on the Plains, where a cheque for $120,000 was presented to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.

That outstanding total was raised through the combined efforts of the Spring Plains and Wee Waa communities.

Raising an amount of this size for such a vital regional service is a remarkable achievement.

The organising committee deserves enormous credit for the months of planning, fundraising and hard work involved.

I also want to acknowledge the sponsors, donors, businesses, volunteers and supporters who helped make the result possible. It was a huge effort by everyone involved.

Work is continuing across several important infrastructure projects.

At the Violet Street Bridge, beams are now in place for the first two spans, with construction of the bridge deck and associated water-main upgrades progressing.

Council has also endorsed a temporary water treatment plant to help return the Killarney Bore to service, strengthening Narrabri’s water supply.

At the same time, further testing and investigations are under way at the Saleyards and Logans Lane bores to assess their potential as additional water sources.

Air scouring of parts of Narrabri’s water network will also commence shortly to improve water quality, with affected residents to receive notice of any temporary interruptions.

There is plenty happening across the shire, and I will continue to keep residents updated as these projects and issues progress.