Mayor’s Monthly Meeting Wrap: September 2025

Brewarrina Shire Council came together for their monthly Ordinary meeting on Tuesday September 23, 2025.

Regional Development Australia Orana

We were pleased to welcome Regional Development Australia (RDA) Orana CEO Justine Campbell to our meeting to give us an update on the important work her organisation does.

Based in the region, they are champions for our region, working with all levels of government, business and agencies to support economic and social development through programs and projects, events and education, workforce development, advocacy and engagement, and business development.

Our GM David Kirby is also one of six regional industry and government representatives on the board of RDA Orana.

One of their many initiatives is the Orana Designated Area Migration Agreement or Orana DAMA, which helps regional businesses across 60 percent of NSW, including the Brewarrina Shire, employ overseas workers in more than 120 occupations when they can’t fill the position locally.

Our Council has already utilised this agreement, successfully employing a number of our skilled overseas team members.

If you are a local business struggling to find staff in the Brewarrina Shire, visit https://rdaorana.org.au/migration/dama to find out more about this program or reach out to their dedicated DAMA officer, dama@rdaorana.org.au

Australia Day Awards

Nominations for the Brewarrina Shire 2026 Australia Day Awards are now open. This annual initiative is a fantastic opportunity to recognise and celebrate the exceptional achievements and contributions of people, events and organisations from across our whole shire, including Brewarrina, Goodooga, Weilmoringle, Gongolgon and Angledool.

This year we are pleased to announce a new category, Community Event of the Year. We are lucky to have many local volunteer organisations, groups and committees who work tirelessly to put on a host of wonderful events throughout the year, and Councillors all agreed it was important they too have the opportunity to be acknowledged.

This year we are welcoming nominations for the following categories:

Citizen of the Year – Recognises outstanding members of the community for their personal endeavours, achievements and community involvement.
Young Citizen of the Year – Recognises young citizens under 25 years of age for their personal endeavours, achievements and community involvement.
Sportsperson of the Year – Recognises a sports person, team, coach, administrator or official whose actions inspire and encourage others, and enrich the community through sport.
Young Sportsperson of the Year – Recognises a young sports person, team, coach, administrator or official, under 18 or school age, whose actions inspire and encourage others and enrich the community through sport.
Australia Day Award – Recognises individuals or groups whose actions inspire and encourage others and enrich the community.
Community Event of the Year – Successful community event held in the Brewarrina Shire from December 2024 to November 2025 that benefits or promotes the Brewarrina Shire.

I understand Australia Day is not a day of celebration for all in our community. But it is an important opportunity to reflect, respect and celebrate all our people. Our history is complex, and we must approach this day with respect and understanding, coming together to build a more inclusive future.

If you know someone or an organisation that has demonstrated outstanding dedication, service or excellence, or a successful community event that promotes or benefits our Shire, then I encourage you to consider nominating them.

Nominations must be submitted by Sunday November 30, 2025, and can be lodged online by visiting the following link – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/V92LGNN. Forms are also available to download HERE or from Council’s offices.

Completed nomination forms must be marked “CONFIDENTIAL” and can be emailed to cec@brewarrina.nsw.gov.au, delivered to Council’s offices at 57 Bathurst Street or mailed to PO Box 125 Brewarrina NSW 2839.

All nominations will be reviewed by an independent committee, and winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Brewarrina Memorial Pool on January 26, 2026.

Main Street Redevelopment

Award-winning architect firm Spackman Mossop Michaels (SMM) were recently awarded the tender for the detailed design of our Main Street redevelopment. At our September meeting, the design team, who have extensive experience working on projects like this, presented initial concept plans to Councillors.

Building on our Master Plan framework from last year, the concept focuses on extensive shade and greening, traffic calming, lighting, footpath and furnishing upgrades to create a welcoming, cool and practical central hub for the community.

The design team will move into refining the detailed design for the project now, with the preliminary design expected to be presented to Council by the end of the year after sign-off from Transport for NSW.

Brewarrina Multipurpose Sports Complex Update

In more exciting news for our community, I am pleased to report our landmark $10 million Multipurpose Sports Complex project is progressing following an inspiring week of collaboration with renowned architects AJC (formerly Allen Jack+Cottier), who have come onboard to bring the project to life.

Earlier in September, Council met with experts from the AJC team for a series of in-depth discussions, site tours and immersive community experiences designed to inform the design of our state-of-the-art facility – including a trip to Walgett to take a look at one of AJC’s recent projects, the award-winning Walgett PCYC.

Beyond just tours of the site, AJC’s visit to the region has given us clarity and confidence and given our designers the opportunity to understand the unique culture and rhythm of our town to ensure the Brewarrina Multipurpose Sports Complex will be truly ours.

The project now moves into the design phase, with the concept and scope of the multi-use centre expected to be presented to Council and the community in November followed by final designs before the end of the year.

Our partnership with AJC is off to an encouraging start, and I look forward to sharing further updates with you in the coming months.

New Code of Meeting Practice

The Office of Local Government (OLG) has finalised the 2025 Model Meeting Code, with all Councils required to adopt a Code of Meeting Practice incorporating the mandatory provisions of the 2025 Model Meeting Code by the end of this year.

Some of the significant reforms that Council must incorporate include:

Prohibition of pre-meeting briefing sessions.
Mandatory livestreaming of meetings from January 1, 2026, with recordings published on Council’s website.
Public forums provisions now mandatory, though Council may determine their rules and frequency.
Extraordinary meetings may now be called directly by the Mayor.
New requirements on urgent business, councillor absences and attendance by audiovisual link (restricted to medical/caring circumstances).
Updated rules of debate, mayoral minutes and etiquette, including prescribed modes of address.
ICAC-aligned changes requiring staff reports for all planning decisions and public reasons where Council departs from staff recommendations.
Expanded provisions on dealing with disorder, including expulsion powers for councillors and the Public.

The 2025 Model Code of Meeting Practice offers Brewarrina Council a chance to improve transparency and community trust. Key changes like banning pre-meeting briefings, mandatory livestreaming from January 2026, and increased accountability in decision-making will make meetings more open and accessible.

Livestreaming is especially valuable for remote residents who can’t attend in person, enabling them to stay informed and engaged with Council matters.

For Councillors, the new Code streamlines meeting procedures and encourages focus on important issues by introducing simpler rules for debates and urgent business. This promotes constructive discussions and clear resolutions.

By modelling respectful conduct and supporting public involvement through forums and livestreams, Councillors can use the new Code to build stronger community relationships and demonstrate their commitment to inclusive, accountable governance.

We will present the draft Code of Meeting Practice for endorsement by Councillors at our October Ordinary meeting, before exhibiting the draft code for 28 days with at least 42 days for community submissions. Any submissions will be considered with a final version of the code adopted at our December Council meeting.