Mayor’s Monthly Meeting Wrap: May 2025 – Brewarrina Shire Council

2025/26 Operational Plan

One of our most important annual tasks is reviewing and adopting Council’s Operational Plans for the following year, including the annual budget, capital works program and fees and charges.

Prepared according to the NSW Government’s Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework, the plan outlines Brewarrina Shire Council’s priorities, services, projects and budget for the financial year ahead, and sets clear objectives aligned to the Community Strategic Plan and Delivery Program.

At out May meeting we endorsed the plan, which included:

Budgeted expenditure of $29.67 million across all funds
A consolidated budget result of $2.05 million cash surplus after depreciation and capital expenses
A comprehensive Capital Works Program
Revised fees and charges and a 4.1% rate peg increase (one percent below IPART’s maximum of 5.1%)

The Capital Works Program forms a significant component of the Operational Plan and I’m very pleased to see some major infrastructure projects kicking off over the next 12 months including new shared pathways in Goodooga and Brewarrina, fully funded by the Federal Government’s Active Transport program, which will deliver safer, more inclusive public spaces and active transport options for residents at Barwon Four and Billabong. The first phase of the Main Street development will get underway with the extensive detailed design and planning works commencing. In more great news for Goodooga, the community is also set to receive a brand new skate park, promoting youth engagement and recreation through targeted community infrastructure. We are also set to undertake a comprehensive plant replacement program, ensuring Council’s workforce has access to safe, efficient and modern fleet to deliver core services across the Shire.

It will certainly another busy, exciting and rewarding 12 months for our community.

Bald Archy Exhibition

Next week the highly anticipated Bald Archy Exhibition returns to Brewarrina. Council has had a longstanding relationship with the Bald Archy, having first hosted the satirical art prize more than two decades ago.

Renowned for its cheeky take on the traditional Archibald Art competition, the Bald Archy features portraits of public figures, personalities, and contemporary issues that blend wit, humour, and artistic skill.

This year’s finalists feature portraits of well-known Australian personalities including Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, Penrith Panthers sensation Nathan Cleary, Olympic breakdancing star Raygun, mogul Gina Rinehart, wildlife warrior turned model Robert Irwin and more. Having seen photos of a few of the portraits, I could not recommend taking the time to check this out.

The hilarious exhibition will officially open on Thursday June 12, with a special Opening Night event with drinks, canapes and live music at the Brewarrina Visitor Information Centre.

The full exhibition will then be on display at the Brewarrina Visitors Information Centre from Friday June 13 to Sunday July 6, 2025. Don’t miss an opportunity to check out some unusual but very talented artworks, right here in our own backyard.

Brewarrina Blizzard bookings now open!

Excitement is certainly building for this year’s Brewarrina Blizzard. The fully Council-funded and driven community event transforms downtown Brewarrina into a winter wonderland with free* ice skating, snow play area, food trucks and more.

This year, the event will be open daily from 10am to 8pm, from Monday July 7 to Sunday July 13.

Skate sessions run every hour throughout the weeklong event, with online bookings now open.

Bookings can be made via 123tix.com.au, or you can just get them on the day. However, if you have a preferred day or time you want to hit the ice, I’d recommend booking online as sessions do sell out.

Entry and all experiences, including skates and penguin skate aids are free but online booking fees do apply for pre-booked ice skating sessions.

I’m really proud that the Blizzard, despite its popularity and income potential, remains a free event. It’s extremely important that everyone in our community has the opportunity to experience something many might never have the chance to, right here in Bre, regardless of their financial situation.

To book your session, visit https://www.123tix.com.au/events/profile/brewarrina-shire-council-presents-brewarrina-blizzard

To find out more about the Blizzard, make sure you are following Brewarrina Shire Council on Facebook and Instagram or visit www.brewarrina.nsw.gov.au/brewarrina-blizzard

Smart Water Meters

Phase two of the Smart Water Meter rollout is currently underway, which includes the installation of an additional 140 meters across the villages in our shire. The digitally connected smart meters record the amount of water a property is using and sends the information electronically to Council and, and soon, registered consumers.

The meters can detect leaks, alert occupants to periods of unusually high water consumption and provide them with insights into their water use via email or SMS.

The Utilities team are already reaping the rewards of the new system in Brewarrina and Goodooga, where efficiency has been improved and waste reduced.

Once the phase two installation is completed, all houses across the shire will be connected to the new technology. Council will be sharing details soon of how residents can register and get real-time updates on their water usage.

Weed Management

Efforts in weed management are making steady progress, with plans being formulated based on continuous inspections and community feedback.

It was great to hear the team have successfully secured grant funding under the Weeds Action Program. This funding provides essential resources for activities such as surveillance, technology implementation, and educational initiatives targeting regional high-priority weeds. With the assistance of this grant, we have partnered with Chartis Weeds. This collaboration will enhance our capabilities in mapping, compliance, and efficiency in the biosecurity sector, working alongside our IT and GIS teams.

As part of our prevention and maintenance activities, approximately 150 African Boxthorn plants have been sprayed in common areas across the shire. This weed is a high-priority concern in the Western region. The African Boxthorn is a woody, thorny shrub that can grow up to 5 meters high and 3 meters wide. It is prevalent in the region, and ongoing efforts to reduce its impact are vital.

In another effort to reduce noxious and prevalent weeds across the shire, Council has developed informative brochures about weed management, which we are distributing to travellers passing through the area. The goal is to increase awareness of priority weeds within the community and emphasize the importance of maintaining cleanliness when entering and leaving the shire.

Additionally, we are enhancing our online presence via our social channel to engage the community actively in monitoring and managing high-priority weeds in the region. By keeping the community informed and involved, we aim to promote a collaborative effort in addressing this environmental challenge.