NARRABRI Shire Council is forecasting a $5.5m deficit in the next financial year, with staff citing rising costs, reduced grant funding and cost shifting from other levels of government among the key budget pressures. The council’s 2026–27 draft operational plan and budget was tabled at the May meeting, with staff addressing the seriousness of the matter. General manager Eloise Chaplain acknowledged that Narrabri Shire was not alone in facing financial challenges. “We are not unique here in Narrabri Shire, this is right across NSW,” she said, pointing to rising costs, ageing infrastructure, grant dependency and increasing cost shifting onto councils. […]
