What a great weekend: Thank you to everyone who rolled up their sleeves

What a great weekend across the Shire, with crowds turning out for the Eulah Creek Vintage Machinery Day, the Festival of Rugby, the Namoi Football League grand final, and many other events. Our volunteers, club committees and community groups put in a tremendous effort to oversee the plans and budgets to deliver safe, family-friendly events that showcased local pride and hospitality. Thank you to everyone who rolled up their sleeves, welcomed visitors and kept things running smoothly.

As resolved at the last ordinary council meeting, the general manager and I signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Santos last Friday. Importantly, it paves the way for existing and new businesses to access the cheapest natural gas in eastern Australia through our Northern NSW Inland Port, located just two kilometres from the Santos pipeheads once the Gas Project is fully operational. Natural gas is not only a vital energy source but also a key input for products such as pharmaceuticals, fertilisers, plastics, brickworks and the value-adding of many food and fibre products produced in our Shire.

It is widely regarded as a transition fuel as Australia increases its reliance on renewable energy. Bringing the inland port vision to life will take time and require significant investment in roadways, power and business facilities, but this MOU gives our economic development team the mandate to promote the natural advantages of Narrabri Shire to both existing businesses and new investors. We are fortunate to sit at the crossroads of two major rail lines and key national highways, and we are the second highest producer of agricultural products of any local government area in the country. To see the inland port fully realised, support from both the State and Federal Governments will be essential, and I look forward to working with them as we advance our vision for the future.

In welcome news, the Boggabri Transfer Station (tip) is open again following the safe clean-up of asbestos-contaminated waste and formal clearance of the site by a hygienist. I thank the people of Boggabri for their patience while the facility was closed and our Waste team for acting quickly and safely. Council is pursuing those responsible for the illegal dumping that caused the disruption. Please remember that asbestos is only accepted at the Narrabri Waste Management Facility and disposal must be pre-booked—call (02) 6799 6730 or 0427 101 125 at least 48 hours before you arrive.

The Violet Street Bridge replacement is moving ahead, with the tender now advertised following completion of the detailed design. Tenders close at 11am on Tuesday, October 14. Following evaluation, a report will come to an Extraordinary Council Meeting for councillors’ consideration. Subject to the successful contractor’s program, site works are expected to start in late November with demolition of the existing bridge, and construction of the new, safer and wider bridge anticipated to be completed by the end of September next year, weather permitting. A detour will operate along Selina Street, Newell Highway and Tibbereena Street for the duration of the works.

Summer is nearly here, so our outdoor pools open this Saturday, 27 September. If you are a regular lap swimmer, have children in lessons or simply love a weekend splash, now is the time to grab a season pass. Council has reduced the cost of season passes by up to 41 per cent compared with last season. It is an easy way to avoid weekly entry fees and enjoy more time in the water for less.

Our libraries are buzzing with new ways to connect and learn. Narrabri Library will host the Armchair Discovery Club on the first Friday of each month an invitation to explore the world through culture, food and storytelling. The first stop is Sri Lanka with guest speaker Rindy Maladeni from the Visitor Information Centre on Friday, October 3. From next week, Narrabri and Wee Waa Libraries will also open Citizen Science Corners—interactive STEM hubs where residents can borrow science kits and contribute to real projects such as Exploring Biodiversity and Discovering Tree Hollows. These initiatives are a hands-on way for families, schools and curious minds to learn and to help protect our local environment.

For those involved in harvest logistics, a free Harvest Transport Information Session will run this Thursday, September 25 from 2pm to 4pm at The Exchange Narrabri. Drivers, contractors and grain operators are encouraged to come along for practical updates on fatigue management, load restraint, chain of responsibility and more, and to put questions to the experts. Please register via the events page on Council’s website.

Expressions of Interest are open for Council’s Public Art Advisory Committee until 5pm on Friday, October 31. There are three vacancies, including a dedicated position for an Aboriginal representative to ensure our public art reflects our region’s history, character and aspirations. You do not need to be a professional artist—what matters most is a passion for creativity, culture and community. If you care about how art tells our story in public spaces, please consider applying or encourage someone you know to do so.

Finally, congratulations to councillor Brett Nolan on his election as deputy mayor for the next 12 months. I look forward to working closely with Brett and with all councillors as we oversee the plans and budgets to deliver the essential services, projects and events that keep our Shire moving forward. The role of deputy mayor is an important one, providing support to the mayor and leadership within Council, and I know Brett will bring commitment and energy to the position. I want to also thank councillor Brett Dickinson for the service that he has provided to the council and the community as deputy mayor. He has been a brilliant support to me, and I know that he will continue to do a sterling job a councillor.

It was completely Cr Dickinson’s choice to step down as deputy mayor, wanting to give someone else the experience.

Thank you to both Bretts.