Mayor’s Monthly Meeting Wrap: April 2025

Mayor’s Monthly Meeting Wrap – April 2025

Brewarrina Shire Council came together last Tuesday April 29 for our monthly Ordinary Meeting with a number of important items discussed.

Flood Recovery Assistance

I was very pleased to receive news just a few days after our meeting that our Shire and residents, along with Walgett and Bourke Shires, are now eligible for recovery support from the State and Federal Government for recent flooding events. Although our towns and villages escaped much of the devastating flow of water from QLD, our farming community and roads have been significantly impacted. So, it was a welcome relief to hear help is now available, including assistance for those who need immediate help; grants for low income and uninsured residents for essential repairs and to replace essential household items; low interest loans for small businesses, primary produces and non-profit organisations; grants for sporting and recreation clubs; and freight subsidies for primary producers. Council is also eligible for support to help restore damaged public assets like roads.

To apply for a concessional loan or freight subsidy, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au. Further information on disaster assistance can be found on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au

Ministerial Visitors

It was also a very busy few weeks for ministerial visitors, with the Minister for Roads and Minister for Regional Transport, Jenny Aitchison, and the Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Regional NSW and Minister for Western NSW, Tara Moriarty, coming to town. It’s great to know, despite our vast distance from Parliament House, the Brewarrina Shire is still an important region to our ministerial representatives, and I thank both Ministers for taking the time to meet with us during their tours of the region.

Draft Annual Budget 2025/26 on Public Exhibition

Brewarrina Shire Council’s 2025/26 Draft Annual Budget, including Draft Budget Summary by Fund, Draft Budget by Business Unit, Draft Capital Income and Expenditure Budget and Draft Fees and Charges, is currently on public exhibition for a period of 28 days until Monday May 26, 2025.

The community is invited to review and provide feedback on the draft documents, which can be viewed at Council’s Offices at 57 Bathurst Street, or on Council’s website HERE.

Submissions can be made to General Manager David Kirby, via email breshire@brewarrina.nsw.gov.au, and must be received by 4.30pm on Monday May 26, 2025.

Following the public exhibition period, Council will consider all submissions prior to formally adopting the documents at its Ordinary Meeting scheduled for Tuesday May 27, 2025.

Housing Strategy & Local Environmental Plan Review

At our February 2025 meeting, Council was presented the Draft Housing Strategy and Local Environmental Plan (LEP) Review. After submitting the plan to the Department of Planning, there was some minor amendments made, with the final version of the plans now adopted and endorsed by Council at the April meeting.

The review of the LEP aims to ensure that land use planning controls meet the evolving needs of the Brewarrina community. Identifying outdated provisions, gaps in zoning, and barriers to development, which will support more flexible and sustainable planning outcomes. This review aligns with Council’s strategic objectives and the Community Strategic Plan.

While the Brewarrina Housing Strategy aims to attract government funding and investment in housing by identifying local needs, future land use opportunities, and population trends. This strategy helps Council respond to funding programs with informed, place-based proposals. It also enhances advocacy for Aboriginal housing, affordable housing, and essential worker accommodation, guiding private sector investment and inter-agency collaboration. By utilising the Housing Strategy, we can plan for growth, improve liveability, and secure long-term social and economic benefits for the community.

Weilmoringle Footpath

The first ever formalised footpath in Weilmoringle is now open, which is incredibly exciting. Sheltered seatings and solar lights are expected to be installed in the coming weeks, to complete the project. Feedback from the community so far has been really positive, with residents, particularly children and elderly residents, now able to move around the community, from the Reserve into town and school safely.

On the Roads

The latest round of upgrade works on the Goodooga Road has recently been completed. The project involved shoulder widening and maintenance past the Weilmoringle turn off, towards Goodooga Township. Maintenance included 1.2km full width road construction, further widening from 5m to 8m with 2.4m shoulders each side. Another 1.5–2 km stretch will commence this month.

Under our RMCC contract, almost 22,000 square metres of the Kamilaroi Highway and Arthur VC Way has undergone heavy patching, as well as 23 km of line marking, emergency and drainage repairs and slashing and weed spraying.

Council is also in the process of developing a guide for the unsealed road grading maintenance works and a grading program to allow for each unsealed road in the shire to be graded throughout the year. The program will provide our residents with assurance that all roads will be graded to consistent standards.

Over the past month, maintenance grading has been carried out on the Yarrawin Road, Brenda Bukulla Road, Twin Rivers Road, Black Box Road, sections of the Narran Lake Road, Fingerpost Road, Charlton Road, Monkey Bridge Road and Nidgery Byrock Road.

Work, Health and Safety Management Plan

Council was presented and endorsed an updated Work, Health and Safety (WHS) Management Plan, which provides an aligned and compliant framework for managing risks to health and safety in the workplace. Key improvements in this update include expanded risk management processes, clearer consultation protocols, and improved contractor engagement guidance. It sets the foundation for safe work practices, supports legal obligations, and reflects Council’s commitment to a “Zero Harm” workplace culture. The updated plan also represents a significant advancement in Council’s commitment to a proactive and integrated safety culture.

The revised WHS Management Plan reflects Brewarrina Shire Council’s ongoing commitment to a safe, healthy and compliant workplace. It strengthens WHS governance, supports organisational resilience, and provides clear, practical guidance for staff and contractors.