2012/2013 Operational Plan - Narrabri Shire Council

NARRABRI SHIRE
Heart of the North West
Operational Plan (2012 - 2013)
NARRABRI SHIRE COUNCIL
46-48 Maitland St Narrabri NSW 2390
Telephone: (02) 6799 6832
Facsimile: (02) 6799 6888
E-mail: council@narrabri.nsw.gov.au
Website: www.narrabri.nsw.gov.au

Contents
A Note From The Mayor 2
About Narrabri Shire 3
About Narrabri Shire Council 4
What is Integrated Planning and Reporting 5
The Councillors 6
Council Structure and Council Meetings 8
Narrabri Shire Council Organisational Structure 9
Appendix 1
Appendix 2
Proposed Borrowing
Revenue Policy
Appendix 3 Budget 2012/13
Appendix 4
Ten Year Forecast

A note from the
Mayor
As Mayor I am pleased to introduce Council’s 2012/13 Operational Plan which will provide delivery of services and
capital works as part of the longer 10 year Shire Strategic Plan.
The past 12 months was a repeat of much of last year’s events with another 2 major flood events severely
impacting the entire Shire. On both occasions the Shire was declared a natural disaster area, with the second
event, only 2 months after the event resulting in State and Federal Governments declaring the Shire as
Category C under the Natural Disaster Funding Agreement between the governments.
Whilst maintaining and repairing roads and bridges has been the focus of operations, work progressed on planning
and tendering for the Narrabri Pool reconstruction, and commencement of work on the new Library and Cook Oval
amenities constructions at Wee Waa.
Councillors and staff prepared and delivered submissions regarding mining developments in the Leards Forest
area, as well as a number of government inquiries regarding coal seam gas development and the new State
Government’s Strategic Regional Land Use Policy.
The Shire’s emerging grain consolidation hub at Narrabri continues to expand with 3 new operators establishing
facilities, and a number of new businesses have started in all 3 major centres in the past year.
The growing demand from residents and visitors resulted in Aeropelican expanding services to Sydney and
Brisbane to 52 flights weekly, with regular charter flights bringing mining workers to Narrabri Airport which has
now assumed regional status. Upgrade of this facility has become the Council’s major priority.
The Council’s new Local Environmental Plan crept closer to approval which is expected early in the 2012/13
operational year. This will culminate a 10 year process which has spanned 3 separate terms of Council.
This Strategic Plan reflects Council’s vision for the development of our Shire as a regional centre and I commend it
to you.
Robyn Faber
Mayor
2 | Narrabri Shire Operational Plan

Narrabri Shire
Here’s some information about our wonderful Shire
Narrabri Shire is an exciting area of regional New South Wales with plenty to offer anyone wishing to
pursue a vibrant and busy country lifestyle. Narrabri Shire is a unique mix of traditional agricultural
heritage and new emerging business.
You will fi nd the conveniences of city living within Narrabri Shire. There are modern cafes and restaurants
as well as a state-of-the-art theatre complex bringing the latest movies and live performances to the
community. There is a growing appreciation within the conference market of Narrabri Shire’s facilities
offering professional convention and workshop services to local, national and international businesses.
A range of outdoor festivals are celebrated throughout the year. There is a wide assortment of social,
cultural and sporting events to keep people of all ages and tastes entertained. Residents are never
bored due to the amount of activities available for the whole family.
Narrabri Shire is a modern regional growth centre encompassing a strong business community without
the stresses and pressures of a city environment. OUR MISSION The area has diversifi ed from its traditional agricultural
base of grain, cotton, wool, beef and prime lamb production to coal, mining and gas extraction and
exploration. The advent of these new resource based industries in conjunction with ancillary business
is providing a breadth and depth of job opportunities for the Shire.
The retail sector in each town continues to strengthen and diversify, creating dynamic shopping
experiences, bringing city pleasures to the country.
The topography of the area varies from fertile river plains through to rugged mountain ranges. As the
lifeblood of the Shire, the Namoi River meanders through the vast plains.
Narrabri Shire Council is a dynamic and progressive organisation across all sectors that it administers.
It has staffi ng levels of approximately 130 professionals and looks after a resident population of over
14,000 people across 13,065 square kilometres. Although Narrabri is the administrative centre of the
Shire, the local government area also consists of the towns Wee Waa and Boggabri and the villages of
Baan Baa, Bellata, Edgeroi, Gwabegar and Pilliga.
3 | Narrabri Shire Operational Plan

About Narrabri Shire Council
Our Vision
‘Narrabri Shire will be a strong and vibrant regional growth centre providing a quality
living environment for the entire shire community’
Narrabri Shire Council’s Corporate Values
All Narrabri Shire Council employees are expected to act within the Corporate Values.
Consultation & Facilitation
To deliver services to, and represent the interests of the whole community and provide a quality living
environment within available resources.
Innovation
Council will always endeavour to be innovative and will follow a path of creative and lateral thinking.
Leadership and Teamwork
To provide leadership and to evoke a spirit of teamwork within the community and the Council.
Effective Communication
Effective communication between the Council, the community and staff will, at times be of paramount
importance.
Value for Money
The provision of Council services will always be cost effective and effi cient.
Exemplary Customer Service
Council will endeavour to provide the highest level of service to all its customers.
Uncompromising Integrity
Council’s integrity will be maintained at the highest level at all times.
Continuous Review and Development
All of Council’s operations will be continually reviewed and quality management practices and state of
the art technology will be used where appropriate.
4 | Narrabri Shire Operational Plan

What is Integrated Planning and Reporting
A new planning and reporting framework for NSW local government has been introduced. These
reforms replace the former Management Plan and Social Plan with an integrated framework. It also
includes a new requirement to prepare a long-term Community Strategic Plan and Resourcing Strategy.
The Community Strategic Plan
The Community Strategic Plan is to identify the community’s main priorities and aspirations for the
future and to plan strategies for achieving these goals. The Narrabri Shire Council Community Strategic
Plan is currently being fi nalised in a draft document in preparation for public exhibition prior to adoption.
The Delivery Program
The Delivery Program outlines how Council will deliver the community plan’s strategic objective
over a four year period. The Narrabri Shire Council Delivery Program is currently being developed in
conjunction with Council’s Resourcing Strategy and Community Strategic Plan objectives.
The Operational Program
A fi nancial and resource allocation plan that identifi es services and activities to be carried out over a
12 month period.
The Annual Report
Refl ects
and
reports on Council objectives, es, operations and
performance rman
for
the
financial al year.
5 | Narrabri Shire Operational Plan

The Councilllors.......
Cr Robyn Faber-(Mayor) Cr Lester Kelly-(Deputy Mayor) Cr Ken Bates
4 Bowen Street PO Box 581 “Ascot”
NARRABRI NSW 2390 NARRABRI NSW 2390 BOGGABRI NSW 2382
Work: 6792 2010 Work: 6792 4375 Home: - 6743 4612
Mobile 0429 202 118
Email: kba41612@bigpond.net.au
Email: mayor@narrabri.nsw.gov.au
Cr Conrad Bolton Cr Chris Buckman Cr John Clements
Lot 197, Alma Street 15 Sanderson Street PO Box 175
WEE WAA NSW 2388 DUBBO NSW 2830 WEE WAA NSW 2388
Mobile: 0427 954 828 Home: 6882 3593 Work: 0428 896 554
Email: salto@northnet.com.au Mobile: 0439 024 593 Mobile: 0437 953 216
Email: chris.buckman8@bigpond.com Email: chats@optusnet.com.au
6 | Narrabri Shire Operational Plan

The Councilllors.......
Cr Peter Etheridge Cr Leslie Knox Cr Ron Lowder
4 Millicent Drive 3/7 Kogil Street 77 Maitland Street
NARRABRI NSW 2390 NARRABRI NSW 2390 WEE WAA NSW 2388
Home: 6792 4607 Home: 5717 6554 Mobile: 0427 944 419
Mobile: 0428 959 231 Mobile: 0413 057 038 Email: ronlowder1@hotmail.com
Cr Bevan O’Regan Cr Catherine Redding Cr George Sevil
“Moema” PO Box 168w “Nowley Lea”
NARRABRI NSW 2390 NARRABRI WEST NSW 2390 BURREN JUNCTION NSW 2386
Home: 6793 8641 Home: 6792 3108 Home: 6796 1444
Mobile: 0429 938 641 Work: 6792 1198 Mobile: 0427 101 933
Email: moema3@bigpond.com Mobile: 0428 923 108 Email: george.clare.sevil@bigpond.com
Email:narrabriwestpo@bigpond.com.au
7 | Narrabri Shire Operational Plan

Councillor Structure and Council Meetings
Narrabri Shire Council consists of 12 elected representatives, as voted by the people of the shire.
They are elected every four years. Anyone wishing to run for Council must meet the eligibility requirements as set
out in the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW). Information on Council meetings, Council elections, voting etc, can
be found in the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW). The Mayor’s term runs for one year, with the Councillors
voting in the Mayoral election at the September Council meeting of every year.
Narrabri Shire Council meetings are usually held on the third Tuesday of each month (excluding the month of January)
in the Council Chambers, 46-48 Maitland Street, Narrabri.
The meetings commence at 10:00am and members of the public are encouraged to attend. Business Papers,
detailing the matters to be discussed at Council meetings, are available for perusal by the public the week prior to
each month’s meeting, at the Administration Building, Narrabri Shire Libraries or on Council’s website
www.narrabri.nsw.gov.au.
Council welcomes the public to attend Council Meetings. Deputations and representations are
received at the beginning of each meeting on any matter listed on the agenda for the meeting. Members of the
public wishing to speak during the Public Forum are to contact PA to the General Manager and the Mayor on 67
996 833 prior to the meeting day.
8
| Narrabri Shire Operational Plan

Narrabri Shire Council’s Organisational Structure
COMMUNITY
ELECTED
COUNCIL
Office of the
General
Manager
Corporate
Services
Human
Resources
Engineering
Services
The Crossing
Theatre
Finance
Planning &
Development
Economic
Development
Community
Facilities
Fleet Services
Information
Systems
Library Services
Strategic
Planning
Communications/
Public Relations
Aerodrome
Parks and
Gardens
Records
Customer Service
Statutory
Planning
Cultural
Development
Cemeteries
Water & Sewer
Tourism
Governance
Corporate
Support
Building Services
Saleyards
Civil Maintenance
& Construction
Environmental
Health
Noxious Weeds
Road
Maintenance &
Construction
Animal Control
9
| Narrabri Shire Operational Plan