Roads, recovery, rugby: Shire faces challenges, celebrates wins

I want to congratulate councillor Ryan Whillas on his election as Narrabri Shire’s newest councillor. A proud Wee Waa local, Ryan has already given much through the Wee Waa Show Society, the Rural Fire Service and Rotaract. He was sworn in last week and is already getting down to work.

The Boggabri Transfer Station remains closed after asbestos contamination was discovered due to illegal dumping. The site was expected to reopen by this Friday, but council is now working on further clean-up measures. It is unlikely this will be completed by the end of this week. This is disappointing because it inconveniences the Boggabri community and puts staff and contractors at risk.
People who dump asbestos without care show no regard for the community or the people who have to clean up their mess. I thank the people of Boggabri for their patience while we deal with this.
Another issue that continues to frustrate me is the lack of fair compensation for the flood damage our shire has endured. During the 2022 flood event, council submitted a claim of $30 million for repairs across our road network, but only $8.5 million was approved. That shortfall is not a small gap – it represents millions of dollars of roadworks that now cannot be delivered. The rules around what is counted as flood damage have been applied so tightly that the true scale of the impact on our roads has not been recognised.  Multiple weather events compounded the damage, yet much of this was dismissed.

This year alone we have already seen three significant flood events across the shire. Each one has left its mark on our road network, adding to the backlog of damage from previous years. The end result is that we are left with roads that everyone can see need repair, but without the funds to properly fix them.

This is not just about smoother driving – it is about safety, access and the ability for our farmers, freight operators, emergency services and families to move around the shire reliably.
Both state and federal governments like to talk about disaster relief and community support, but the truth is that too often local councils are left carrying the burden. NSW government systems do appear to have improved in how they now process disaster recovery, but our community still languishes with missing flood compensation as a result of historical funding problems. It is very disappointing that the past shortfalls have never been properly fixed.

Preparations are underway for the construction of the new Violet Street bridge over Narrabri Creek. I have had people ask me why the bridge needs to be replaced. There are many reasons, including the age and condition of the current bridge, which no longer meets today’s safety standards. It cannot handle the weight of modern heavy vehicles, it lacks safe pedestrian and cycle access, and its single-lane design creates traffic bottlenecks.

The new bridge, made possible through joint funding from the Australian and NSW governments’ Infrastructure Betterment Program, will fix these problems. It will provide dual traffic lanes, pathways for pedestrians and cyclists, improved road approaches, unrestricted heavy vehicle access and new street lighting.

Tender documents are being finalised and works are expected to begin later this year with demolition of the existing bridge. Completion is anticipated by late 2026, weather permitting.

A detour will be in place along Selina Street, the Newell Highway and Tibbereena Street, and council will continue to keep the community informed throughout the project.

Council is also carrying out a Heritage Study with support from the NSW government’s Heritage Grants Program. Heritage is not just about old buildings; it also includes landscapes, community spaces, natural features and places that hold personal or cultural meaning. Community sessions will be held later this month in Wee Waa, Pilliga, Narrabri and Boggabri, led by heritage
consultant Ray Christison.

This is an opportunity for residents to nominate places that tell our story and to ensure our shire’s heritage is recognised for future generations.

With the grain harvest fast approaching, council is working with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and NSW Police to deliver a free harvest transport information session. The session will be held at The Exchange Narrabri on Thursday, September 25 from 2pm to 4pm. Topics will include fatigue management, load restraint and chain of responsibility – all vital elements for a safe and successful harvest season. Drivers, contractors and industry representatives are all welcome.

Council is also seeking expressions of interest for its Public Art Advisory Committee. This group is responsible for advising council on what public art to install across our shire, using funds that have been donated or set aside for this purpose.

It is an opportunity for those with a passion for creativity, history and culture to help shape the way art is presented in our public spaces. Three positions are open, and expressions of interest close on October 31.

This Saturday the Narrabri Chamber of Commerce Business Awards will take place, and I look forward to celebrating with the many local businesses and staff who keep our shire moving forward.
Every day I am impressed by the levels of innovation and problem-solving that come out of our local businesses. The awards are a chance to recognise hard work and celebrate enterprise in our community.

Council also has a number of policies on public exhibition, from procurement to community events and section 355 committees. Submissions close on September 18 and residents are encouraged to have their say.

Finally, tickets are still available for the Santos Festival of Rugby later this month. The opening party will be held on Friday, September 19, followed by a weekend of games.

Narrabri Shire continues to prove itself as Australia’s sportiest place, and this festival will be another great example of that.