Community Conversations
Earlier this year, Council introduced Community Conversations - a new approach to engaging with our community and creating more opportunities for open, face-to-face conversations.
Community Conversations are designed to be a welcoming space where residents, businesses and community members can share their thoughts, ideas and feedback directly with Council. As the program grows, we hope Community Conversations will become a familiar way for our community to stay informed, have their say and help shape the future of the Narrabri Shire.
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What We Heard - Round 1
Share What We Heard - Round 1 on Facebook Share What We Heard - Round 1 on X (formerly Twitter) Share What We Heard - Round 1 on Linkedin Email What We Heard - Round 1 linkDuring Round 1, we asked our community to think about the future of Narrabri Shire, while also telling us about the things that matter to them now.
Residents could place tokens across a range of priority areas to show us what was most important to their community. We also invited people to share their ideas and suggestions using prompt cards.
The feedback covered everything from roads, waste and public facilities to tourism, recreation, and so many other opportunities for the future.
What were the top priorities?
The token exercise gave us a snapshot of what residents identified as their top three priority areas in each community.
Pilliga
What matters now
Feedback from Pilliga focused strongly on local facilities, access, roads, waste services and making the town easier and more enjoyable to use.
Residents raised the need for improved walking connections, including a path from the bore into town and better access to the café and post office. There were also suggestions for improved lighting and facilities at the park and playground, cemetery improvements, better roads and access to the transfer station, and more regular waste collection.
Tourism and community identity also featured, including improved signage for the bore and ideas for maps, postcards and community events.
Looking to the future
Ideas for Pilliga's future included more spaces and activities for children, a community green space, improved roads and line marking, employment opportunities and support for older residents.
There were also several ideas focused on tourism and community identity, including sculptures, a Shire-wide sculpture trail, flags connecting the towns and an annual Yowie-themed music festival making use of the bore baths and local camping opportunities.
Baan Baa
What matters now
Roads and infrastructure were the strongest priority in the token exercise, and the written feedback reflected this. Residents raised concerns and suggestions around turning lanes, pedestrian crossings, Browns Lane, the intersection of Harparary Road and the highway, and trucks parking near the fire shed.
Waste services were also raised, particularly the frequency of emptying bins at the transfer station. Tourism signage for the old school was another suggestion.
Looking to the future
Residents described a future Baan Baa with more local services and businesses, including somewhere to buy everyday essentials such as bread and milk, as well as a stronger local business community.
The community centre was also identified as an important connection point for the community.
Bellata
What matters now
Waste was the top priority in Bellata, with residents highlighting the need for more regular waste collection and improvements around the transfer station.
Other feedback focused on telecommunications, public toilets, street lighting, drainage, pedestrian access and signage. Residents also raised opportunities to improve the streetscape and connections around the golf club and school.
Looking to the future
Future ideas included celebrating Bellata's history through heritage decals and information signs, improving facilities at the free camping area and golf club, and creating a more attractive and walkable connection through town.
Public toilets, picnic seating, garbage services and broader streetscaping were also suggested.
Gwabegar
What matters now
Parks and open spaces were the top priority identified through the token exercise. Residents raised a range of ideas for improving Anzac Park and the oval, including walking paths, exercise equipment, children's facilities, toilets and better drainage.
Waste and roads were also prominent. Feedback included requests for improvements to the transfer station, kerbside waste options, road sealing and maintenance, as well as cleaning culverts and drains around town.
The community hall was another recurring theme, with residents raising issues around cleaning, access, bookings and key or code arrangements.
Looking to the future
Ideas for Gwabegar's future included more recreation facilities, particularly opportunities for children, as well as better community spaces and amenities.
There was also interest in using the oval for free camping, potentially providing additional accommodation capacity for visitors to Pilliga, and making better use of existing infrastructure such as power at the oval.
Wee Waa
What matters now
Roads and infrastructure were the strongest priority in Wee Waa, with feedback covering drainage, culverts, footpaths and pedestrian safety.
Residents also raised the importance of facilities and opportunities for young people, improved shade and public amenities, and maintaining community spaces such as the Wee Waa Community Arts & Cultural Centre.
Tourism and the visitor experience also featured, including interest in regular flights to Sydney and stronger hospitality and retail options for visitors.
Looking to the future
Residents described a future Wee Waa with a thriving main street and more shops, along with opportunities for sport and recreation such as an indoor sports centre.
The feedback also reflected a desire to maintain and strengthen the community facilities and spaces that are important to local residents.
Narrabri
What matters now
Parks and open spaces, along with water and sport, were among the strongest priorities identified through the token exercise.
Written feedback included ideas for improving parks, playgrounds, public toilets, shade and recreation facilities. Residents also raised the Narrabri West Lake, including suggestions for seating, lighting and making greater use of the space.
Other feedback covered roads and drainage, waste collection, town beautification, street dining, footpaths and laneways, as well as regular flights to Sydney.
Residents also shared feedback about schools and the importance of supporting local education and reducing divisions within the community.
Looking to the future
Future ideas for Narrabri included more shaded walking and recreation paths, better use of Narrabri West Lake, more trees and open space, and affordable housing options outside flood-prone areas.
Residents also suggested improvements to sporting facilities, a botanical garden, a larger Yowie attraction at the Visitor Information Centre and new recreation opportunities such as an ice-skating rink.
There were also broader ideas around creating a thriving main street with more shops and making Narrabri a place where people want to stay and build their future.
Boggabri
What matters now
Roads and infrastructure were the strongest priority in Boggabri, with feedback covering pedestrian access, pram ramps, sewerage, drainage and flood improvements.
The Boggabri Showground and Caravan Park also featured heavily, with residents raising ideas around amenities, accessibility, maintenance, camping facilities and collaboration on future improvements.
Other suggestions included a new library, a tourist information centre, improvements to the swimming pool and a safer walking path to the showground.
Looking to the future
Residents shared a vision for a thriving Boggabri with sufficient housing and employment, more shops and tourism opportunities, and activities for younger people.
A riverside walking area with paths and lighting was one of the ideas suggested, alongside broader opportunities to support the town as industries and employment change over time.
What happens next?
Community Conversations are designed to be an ongoing conversation, rather than a one-off consultation.
The feedback shared during Round 1 helps us understand what matters to people across the Shire and gives us a starting point for future conversations.
We'll continue to share updates and opportunities to have your say through future rounds of Community Conversations.