Mayor’s Monthly Meeting Wrap – April 2026

As we move through 2026, Council is continuing to focus on the projects, challenges and opportunities that matter most to our community, and at our April meeting, we progressed several key projects, programs and advocacy for our region.

Citizenship Ceremony

At our April Council Meeting, we had the pleasure of welcoming Manureva Stephano as Australia’s newest citizen. It was a truly special moment shared with her wonderful family, who are much‑loved members of our Brewarrina community. Ceremonies like this remind us of the strength, diversity and kindness that make our Shire such a great place to call home. We congratulate Manureva and wish her every success as she begins this new chapter.

Planning for the Years Ahead: Draft 2026/27 Operational Plan and Budget, and Four-Year Delivery Plan

Council has released the draft 2026/27 Operational Plan and Budget for community feedback. This annual plan outlines the practical, on‑the‑ground actions we will deliver over the next 12 months, from road upgrades and water network improvements to community programs, asset renewals and major projects.

This year’s draft budget has been shaped by the same pressures affecting households and businesses across the region: rising costs, supply challenges and the need to stretch every dollar further. Despite these challenges, the draft plan remains focused on delivering essential services, maintaining our infrastructure and supporting the long‑term resilience of our towns and villages.

Alongside the annual plan, Council has also placed the draft Four‑Year Delivery Program on exhibition. This program sets out the major priorities and commitments we will work towards from 2026 to 2030, guided by the Community Strategic Plan.

These longer‑term priorities include strengthening our road network, improving water security, supporting local business growth, enhancing community facilities and investing in projects that build pride, connection, and opportunity across the Shire.

Both these important documents shape the future of our Shire, and your voice is vital in ensuring they reflect the needs and priorities of our community. You can view the documents by visiting Council’s website or Council’s Offices.

I encourage everyone to take the time to review the drafts and provide feedback.

2026 Brewarrina Blizzard

An unfortunate update I must share is the Brewarrina Blizzard will not be going ahead this year.

Postponing the Blizzard was not an easy call, and we know how disappointing this news will be for so many people. Our community looks forward to the Blizzard every year; it’s a highlight on the local calendar and something families, kids, businesses and visitors genuinely cherish.

But in the current economic climate, with costs rising across every part of event delivery, a noticeable decline in regional travel, and a funding gap we have been unable to close, we simply couldn’t run the Blizzard to the standard our community deserves. While the event is fundamentally about our community, these combined pressures mean that moving ahead in 2026 would not have been a responsible use of Council funds.

We are, however, very pleased to share that with $10,000 in funding from the Premier’s Department, we will still be delivering a fantastic Winter School Holiday Program for local young people. More details to come soon.

And rest assured, Council is already working to secure funding opportunities for 2027, with a clear intention to bring the Brewarrina Blizzard back bigger, brighter and better next year.

Major Works Update – Main Street Redevelopment and Multipurpose Centre

Even though there’s not much happening on the ground just yet, the Main Street Redevelopment is very much moving forward behind the scenes. Right now, Council is working through the essential planning and approvals that need to be in place before construction can begin.

A big part of this stage involves working closely with Transport for NSW (TfNSW) to secure the necessary approvals. We’ve completed the updated concept design, and early detailed design work has progressed as far as it can for now. This careful approach avoids wasting money on redesigns if TfNSW requests changes during the approval process.

The team are also working through the overarching street greening strategy, which once finalised will help to get some works underway sooner as part of the Active Transport shared path project.

The next major milestone is submitting the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) to TfNSW. Once that’s in, the project will move through their assessment and the Works Authorisation Deed process. This can take anywhere from six weeks to three months, but importantly, other project work continues in the background during this time.

We know the community is eager to see activity on the ground, and this careful, staged approach is about doing the job properly, avoiding unnecessary costs and delivering a Main Street upgrade that will serve Brewarrina well into the future.

Simultaneously, work on the new Brewarrina Multipurpose Centre is also progressing steadily. This project remains a major priority for Council, and planning and design work is continuing to move forward.

The Centre will provide a modern, flexible space for community programs, events and services, something we are very excited to deliver for the region. Council is currently working through the detailed planning and approvals required before tendering and construction can begin, ensuring the project is well‑designed, cost‑effective and ready to deliver long‑term benefits for the community.

More updates will be shared as the project moves into its next stages.

Drought Conditions and Fuel Supply Pressures

Many locals have been telling us the same thing: conditions across the Shire are getting tougher by the week. We’re seeing long dry spells, barely any ground cover, and more and more graziers having to handfeed stock just to get through. It’s putting real pressure on families, farms and small businesses.

Because of this, we’ve written to the Hon. Tara Moriarty, Minster for Agriculture and Regional NSW, asking for some straight answers about how drought declarations are being made across NSW. We’ve asked the State Government to explain the criteria they’re using and why Brewarrina Shire hasn’t been formally recognised yet, despite what everyone here is dealing with on the ground. Our view is simple: if the conditions look and feel like drought, the classification and support should reflect that.

We’ve also raised the ongoing fuel supply issues, which are making a hard situation even harder. Limited fuel availability and rising prices are hitting farmers, transport operators and small businesses right when they’re already under strain. It’s affecting day‑to‑day operations and adding extra costs at the worst possible time.

We’ll keep the community updated once we hear back from the Minister. In the meantime, Council will continue pushing for proper recognition and support for our agricultural sector and the wider community as we navigate these challenging conditions together.

Murray Darling Basin Plan Review

The 2026 Murray Darling Basin Plan Review has been open and underway the last two months, providing an important chance for communities like Brewarrina to make sure our voices are heard on a critical issue impacting us every day.

Council has submitted a detailed submission, both individually and alongside the Western Alliance of Councils, calling for stronger recognition of the issues affecting northern Basin communities. Some of the major points we’ve raised include:

Critical human water needs: Brewarrina’s water supply is vulnerable during long dry spells and cease‑to‑flow events, especially with limited groundwater options in parts of the Shire.
Water quality concerns: Algal blooms, salinity and stagnation in the weir pool increase treatment costs and create public health risks.
Connectivity issues: Water released upstream doesn’t always reach downstream communities like ours in a meaningful way.
Infrastructure needs: Long‑term water security will require investment in local storage, improved treatment systems and options like the proposed off‑river storage at Gongolgon.
Communication and trust: Basin science and policy can be complex, and communities need clearer information about how decisions are made and how environmental water supports local outcomes.
Local involvement: Councils and communities need a stronger role in water planning and river operations to ensure decisions reflect on‑ground realities.

We’ve also highlighted that environmental water has, at times, helped support town supply and stock and domestic needs during dry periods – an important co‑benefit that should be recognised in future planning.

Council will continue to advocate for fair, practical and place‑based solutions that support the long‑term sustainability of Brewarrina and other northern Basin communities. You can read our full submission in the April Meeting Business Papers, available on our website.