News

Housing pressures, regional services among top concerns in electorate survey

Housing pressures, support for rural and regional communities and the cost of living have emerged as the leading concerns in an ongoing survey of the Parkes electorate. Federal Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey said his 30-second survey, which has been open to constituents since mid-July, had highlighted a range of issues causing concern across the electorate. Respondents were asked to select four issues that concerned them most from a list of 15 choices. “The two top concerns from respondents to date are reducing migration to ease housing, infrastructure and services (48.33 per cent of respondents), and backing rural and regional […]

Sep 29, 2026

Community connects and celebrates

The Narrabri Local Aboriginal Land Council welcomed visitors for the first time to Tippereena, a newly established native food production area on the outskirts of town. Designed to showcase climate-smart agriculture techniques, the site was planted last year with over 800 native food, medicine and fibre plants. On 10 September, the community celebrated the site’s establishment by releasing native fish and yabbies into the dam, sharing a meal, and learning about the project’s past and future. Plans for Tippereena include establishing a cultural centre next year, supporting participants to complete TAFE study in conservation and land management, and creating […]

Sep 29, 2026

Shire to seek funding approval for Wee Waa community park

DYLAN SMITH Narrabri Shire Council will seek the Department of Regional NSW’s approval to amend a funding agreement and enable the development of a community park on the corner of Rose and Church streets in Wee Waa. The council had originally received funding through round nine of Resources for Regions to develop a community centre at the former site of the Wee Waa NAB branch. The council previously reported that construction costs for such a facility would exceed the allocated funding. Members of the community had also suggested amending the plans as similar facilities already existed in Wee Waa. A […]

Sep 28, 2026

Roy Butler seeks review of remote status of police stations and staffing

DYLAN SMITH State Member for Barwon Roy Butler has asked the NSW police minister to consider reviewing the remote and special remote status of police stations in the electorate. Mr Butler tabled the query during question time in parliament and highlighted the need to increase staffing in those locations. “I thank the minister for her visits to the Barwon police stations and her interest in ensuring we have adequate police staffing in those stations,” Mr Butler said. Yasmin Catley, the NSW police minister, acknowledged Mr Butler’s question and said she had visited Wee Waa and met with staff last year. […]

Sep 28, 2026