Acknowledging police officers’ outstanding work

DARRELL TIEMENS,

MAYOR, NARRABRI SHIRE COUNCIL

Our community has endured a troubling spike in crime, so I want to begin by acknowledging the outstanding work of officers from the Narrabri area and the Oxley Police District. Their recent announcement that alleged offenders responsible for a number of incidents have been charged is welcome news and reflects determined, professional police work.

I thank every officer involved. They have pursued these matters while continuing to respond to the everyday demands of policing a large regional area. Charges are now before the courts and the legal process must take its course, but our community can take confidence from the persistence shown by local police.

We all have a role to play in supporting them. Please report suspicious behaviour promptly to police, but do not take matters into your own hands or participate in vigilante activity. Confronting suspected offenders can escalate a situation and make our community less safe.

That success does not lessen the need for more support. Our officers should not have to achieve results while working with inadequate resources. I will continue pressing the NSW government for greater support and more police on the ground in Narrabri Shire. I am also continuing to seek a meeting with the police minister so I can put our community’s concerns directly to her and advocate for the staffing and resources our district needs.

This week also brought positive recognition for council. Narrabri Shire received two Local Government Week awards: the Leo Kelly OAM Arts and Culture Project Award for the Vandalised to Vibrant Community Mural Project, and the RH Dougherty Excellence in Communication Award for council’s communication about PFAS. These awards recognise the creativity of our community and the commitment of staff to keeping residents informed.

There are several opportunities and reminders for residents. Although Census night was Tuesday, it is not too late to complete your Census form. An accurate count is vital for regional communities because Census data helps guide planning and funding for hospitals, schools, roads, housing and community facilities. Census staff will be available to help residents complete their forms next Monday and Tuesday, 17 and 18 August, at the Narrabri Shire Kiosk, 104 Maitland Street, Narrabri.

Council has also moved to the new LoopedIn Councils app. Residents can use it for bin collection calendars and reminders, waste and recycling information, service requests, and Waste and Recycling Centre details. Anyone who used the previous Narrabri Shire Waste App will need to download LoopedIn Councils and select Narrabri Shire Council during setup.

Finally, local artists and creatives are encouraged to submit an expression of interest for CREATE 2026, which will run from 2 to 18 October. This year’s theme is “Water”, exploring how water shapes our environment, culture and identity. Expressions of interest close at 5pm on Friday 21 August.

The Rural Women’s Gathering is also coming to Narrabri later this year. The free event, themed “Breaking New Ground”, will celebrate connection, learning and regional women, with registrations opening in early September. This will be a great occasion for us to show off all that Narrabri Shire has to offer.