Figures from the Northern Inland Region confirm the Narrabri Shire’s growing status as a ‘regional economic powerhouse.’

Mining is a key generator of economic activity.

Narrabri Chamber of Commerce president Russell Stewart said the figures showed that out of the 12 local government areas in Regional Development Australia Northern Inland, Narrabri Shire was ranked third with 13.7 per cent of output behind larger regional centres Tamworth, 32.8 per cent and Armidale, 15.2 per cent.

“Narrabri Shire is ranked third in gross regional product,” Mr Stewart said.

“We have always been aware of our status – the Narrabri Shire is an economic powerhouse.

“It reaffirms what the chamber has been saying for years.”

“But we can’t get recognition from governments in relation to funding because the last figures allegedly show we are in decline and our neighbours are going forward,” Mr Stewart said.

“How can this be?

“The economic data flies in the face of the Bureau of Statistics figures which claimed Narrabri was declining in population while some of our neighbours have increased significantly.

“The serious issue with this is that governments and private businesses make decisions about where they will invest, on the back of those figures,” Mr Stewart said.

Mr Stewart said this meant Narrabri misses out.

“How can politicians turn up here and tell us Narrabri Shire is one of the three identified growth centres in NSW and then the bureau says we are going backwards,” Mr Stewart said.

Of the total $29.138 billion output generated in local government areas in the RDA Northern Inland:

$4.430 billion is generated in Armidale Regional Council (15.2 per cent).

$1.036 billion is generated in Glen Innes Severn Shire (3.6 per cent).

$2.212 billion is generated in Gunnedah Shire (7.6 per cent).

$604.879 million is generated in Gwydir Shire (2.1 per cent).

$2.422 billion is generated in Inverell Shire (8.3 per cent).

$1.122 billion is generated in Liverpool Plains Shire (3.9 per cent).

$1.931 billion is generated in Moree Plains Shire (6.6 per cent).

$4.006 billion is generated in Narrabri Shire (13.7 per cent).

$9.567 billion is generated in Tamworth Regional Council (32.8 per cent).

$781.234 million is generated in Tenterfield Shire (2.7 per cent).

$521.823 million is generated in Uralla Shire (1.8 per cent).

$504.019 million is generated in Walcha Shire (1.7 per cent).

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