It’s been a productive month across Council, with strong progress on our major projects, important strategic planning work and continued positive engagement with our Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee.

I’m also pleased to share that, following his annual performance review, Councillors have offered General Manager David Kirby a five‑year extension to his contract.

Since his appointment in 2022, Mr Kirby has helped guide Brewarrina Shire Council through one of its most active and ambitious periods of investment and renewal. Under his leadership, Council has secured record levels of funding and progressed the largest public works program in the shire’s history, with a strong focus on modernising our 1,700‑kilometre road network, improving community infrastructure and strengthening cultural and recreational assets.

Major initiatives, including the $6 million Main Street Reactivation, the $11 million Multipurpose Complex and the $4 million Active Transport upgrades, continue to progress under his direction, with tender and construction on the Multipurpose Centre and Brewarrina township pathways expected to commence this year.

Several important projects have already been delivered, including the redevelopment of Four Mile Reserve, the first ever formalised pathway in Weilmoringle, and key pathway infrastructure in Goodooga connecting the town centre with the bore baths and school. Significant road upgrades have also been completed, such as the multi‑stage sealing of Jobs Gate Road, widening and safety improvements on Goodooga Road, the Brenda Road box culvert installation, heavy patching and highway upgrades in partnership with Transport for NSW, and extensive gravel resheeting across priority rural routes.

His leadership has also strengthened Council’s focus on cultural heritage, youth development and flood‑recovery resilience.

Councillors have expressed strong confidence in Mr Kirby’s ongoing leadership and are pleased to offer a five‑year extension to his contract. This reflects both the progress achieved to date and Council’s commitment to maintaining stable, capable leadership as these major projects continue toward delivery.

Vale Jenny McLellan AM

I wish to acknowledge the passing of Jenny McLellan AM, a former Brewarrina Shire Councillor, respected pastoralist and one of the far west’s most influential regional leaders.

Jenny served as a Councillor on Brewarrina Shire Council from 1991 to 2008, contributing years of dedicated service to our community. While living on her pastoral and dryland agriculture station near Brewarrina, she travelled widely across New South Wales, representing the far west with strength, clarity and unwavering commitment.

Her leadership extended well beyond her council years. Jenny held numerous high‑profile roles across regional, state and national bodies, including Chair of Western Catchment Management Committee and Western Catchment Management Board, President of Western Division Group of Shires Association, National President of the Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association (ICPA) and a member of the NSW Shires Executive, Murray–Darling Basin Community Advisory Council and Barwon–Darling River Management Committee.

Across all these roles, Jenny was a fierce advocate for equity for regional and isolated children, ensuring young people in remote communities had access to the same opportunities and support as those in larger centres.

Her decades of service to local government, natural resource management and rural and remote communities were formally recognised when she was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2002.

Jenny McLellan AM leaves a legacy defined by integrity, compassion and an unshakeable commitment to the people of the outback. Council extends its deepest sympathies to her family and loved ones.

Greening Strategy

Our community has consistently told us just how important shade, cooling and the overall look and feel of our town really are. Responding directly to that, I’m pleased to report that Councillors have now endorsed our overarching Greening Strategy, which will guide long‑term tree planting, landscaping and streetscape improvements right across Brewarrina.

This Strategy gives us a coordinated framework for increasing shade and cooling throughout the township, improving comfort for pedestrians, strengthening connections between key destinations and creating a more attractive and welcoming town centre. While the concepts and planting layouts in the Strategy are indicative and will be refined through detailed design and service investigations, the Strategy sets the direction for how we progressively deliver greening works across the community as funding opportunities arise and projects progress.

Implementation will be staged and integrated with major projects already underway, including the Main Street Revitalisation, active transport upgrades and the Multipurpose Centre development, and Council will continue to pursue grant funding to support delivery.

This marks an important step toward a cooler, greener and more comfortable Brewarrina, shaped directly by what our community has asked for.

Responsible Pet Ownership

I want to remind residents of the importance of responsible pet ownership, particularly ensuring that cats and dogs are safely contained at home. Roaming animals pose risks to public safety, contribute to nuisance complaints and can negatively impact community wellbeing.

Council Rangers have commenced a targeted animal control program involving the trapping of stray and roaming cats and dogs within the township. This program aims to reduce risks to public safety, minimise nuisance behaviour and support improved responsible pet ownership outcomes. All captured animals are being managed in accordance with relevant legislation and Council policies.

Residents are also encouraged to take advantage of the RSPCA NSW free desexing program, which offers:

• Free cat desexing for all Brewarrina LGA residents, and
• Free dog desexing for Brewarrina town residents who hold a pension or healthcare card.

These services help reduce unwanted litters, improve animal health and support safer, more responsible pet ownership across our community. Bookings for this program can be made by contacting Kidman Way Veterinary Surgery.

Annual Financial Reports

Council has progressed its annual financial reporting requirements for the 2025/26 year. Draft Financial Statements have been reviewed by Council’s Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee (ARIC), with the recommended the draft statements proceed to audit.

This year’s financial results show a significantly improved position. Council recorded a $2 million operating surplus before capital grants, compared with a $6.8 million deficit the previous year. When capital grants are included, the operating result moves to an $11 million surplus, reflecting the reversal of timing issues that impacted last year’s result, a heavier Transport for NSW works program, increased capital grant income and the absence of the one‑off flood‑damage write‑off that affected FY 24/25.

Key contributors to the improved outcome include the recognition of the deferred Financial Assistance Grant advance, a substantial increase in TfNSW RMCC works (including heavy patching for Walgett Shire Council), higher capital grant income across recreation, culture and transport projects, and a reduction in other expenses following last year’s one‑off impairment.

Council’s overall financial position has strengthened, with net assets increasing from $267 million to $289 million, demonstrating continued capacity to meet obligations and support future service delivery and infrastructure investment.

Depot Masterplan

Our Depot is one of Council’s most important operational hubs, and it’s clear that modernising the site is essential to support safer, more efficient and compliant operations into the future. Councillors have now considered the Depot Master Plan, a long‑term framework that sets out how we can progressively upgrade and reorganise the depot so it meets current standards and accommodates Council’s future fleet and staffing needs.

The Master Plan identifies key issues with the existing depot, including ageing and non‑compliant buildings, an ad‑hoc layout, circulation and drainage constraints and inadequate security, and provides a clear direction for addressing them over time. Proposed improvements include refurbished offices and amenities, a new stores building, upgraded workshop and parks and gardens facilities, a compliant wash bay, improved security fencing and gates, better vehicle circulation, formalised parking, stormwater upgrades, landscaping and sustainability measures.

Because this is a large and complex upgrade, the plan is staged so the depot can continue operating during construction, with priority works in Stage 1 and further improvements delivered as funding allows. Funding opportunities will continue to be investigated, and staff will keep analysing the report to refine the recommended timeline and budget. Council and the community will receive updates as this work progresses.

This Master Plan gives us a clear, practical roadmap for modernising the depot in a way that supports staff safety, operational efficiency and long‑term service delivery for our community.

Code of Meeting Practice Recission

Councillors have considered recent State Government changes affecting the Code of Meeting Practice that all NSW councils are required to adopt under section 360 of the Local Government Act 1993. Last year, Brewarrina Shire Council reviewed and adopted a revised Code based on the 2025 Model Code of Meeting Practice, following public exhibition and in line with the requirements at the time.

Since then, the NSW Legislative Council has disallowed the 2025 Model Code, which means it is no longer the prescribed Code for councils. The Office of Local Government has advised councils to formally rescind their adoption of the 2025 Code so that their previous Code, containing the mandatory provisions of the 2021 Model Code, is reinstated.

Council will now follow that advice to ensure our Code of Meeting Practice aligns with the correct legislative requirements. This is an administrative update only and does not change Council’s commitment to transparent, orderly and accessible meeting procedures for our community.

Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee Annual Report

Council’s Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee (ARIC) has provided its Annual Report for the period 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026, as required under section 428A of the Local Government Act. ARIC was established in 2024/25 and has been operating under its endorsed Terms of Reference since August 2025.

The Committee continues to provide strong, constructive and positive feedback about Council’s governance, risk management and improvement processes. Councillors and staff value the professional oversight ARIC brings, and the Annual Report again reflects confidence in the direction Council is taking to strengthen compliance, financial management and organisational performance.

Council appreciates the ongoing expertise and guidance of ARIC members and looks forward to continuing this productive partnership as we progress our improvement agenda.