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Community Satisfaction Survey Results Released

Narrabri Shire Council’s 2021 Community Satisfaction Survey has revealed that 91% of the community is supportive of Council’s vision for the future.

The biennial survey was conducted independently by Micromex Research in July, with participants chosen at random and included participants from every corner of the Shire.

Narrabri Shire Council General Manager Mr Stewart Todd said the survey is about assessing and establishing the community’s priorities and satisfaction in relation to Council activities, services and facilities in alignment with the Community Strategic Plan.

He said that a majority of respondents were very happy with their lifestyle in the Narrabri region.

“The survey showed that 87% believe that quality of life is excellent in Narrabri Shire which is very pleasing,” Mr Todd said.

Research showed that the community ranks roads, water, business support, housing, job creation and community safety/crime prevention as being of top importance.

The areas of top satisfaction were libraries, The Crossing Theatre, cemeteries, parks and open spaces and swimming pools.

“There is also high value placed on community engagement, roads, and Council’s operation and responsiveness.” Mr Todd said.

Council facilities such as libraries, landfills/transfer stations, airport and the Theatre as well as environmental compliance, Indigenous reconciliation activities and access to nature all received ticks of approval.

“The results also showed active participation in the Shire in a volunteering capacity, sport and recreation and creative arts and that residents are sourcing their information about Council through social media and local news outlets.

“Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, quality of life has also strengthened with 87% of residents rating theirs as good to excellent.”

There was also strong support for Council’s strategic direction and how it will benefit the community by bringing business and growth to the area.

“Community satisfaction is that 80% of Narrabri Shire Council residents are satisfied with the performance of Council in the last 12 months,” Mr Todd said.

The focus in the coming years will be on economic growth, assessing the impact of external factors such as drought and the pandemic and upgrading and maintaining infrastructure such as roads.

The satisfaction rating for the Narrabri Shire Council community research was higher than the Micromex benchmark, with analysis done using Q Professional. Interviewing was conducted in accordance with The Research Society Code of Professional Behaviour.


Planning Process Streamlined, Attracting Shire Developments

Narrabri Shire Council’s planning restructure has transformed divisional operations to improve the organisation’s service delivery and efficiencies. These efficiencies are being achieved with the first quarter of the 2021/2022 financial year showing extremely pleasing results.

Narrabri Shire General Manager Mr Stewart Todd said Strategic Planning and Development Services now formed part of the Planning Strategy and People directorate which includes Corporate Planning and Risk, Economic Development and Human Resources.

“This new structure ensures the facilitation and promotion of investment across the Shire; at the same time achieving positive community outcomes,” he said.

“Making the change has allowed Council to increase delivery and improve processing times of construction certificates and determination of development applications (DAs) during the first quarter of the current financial year.”

A total of 28 building construction certificates worth $3.7 million were processed between 1 July and 30 September 2021, with an average processing time of 22 days.

During that period, 43 DAs were determined, with a value of $11.5 million while 28 new DAs were lodged, worth $13.5 million.

“Among those applications, two DAs were determined by the Northern Regional Planning Panel,” Mr Todd said.

“One of these was for the establishment of a $6 million 5MW solar PV electricity generation facility and associated infrastructure at Boggabri, along with the redevelopment of Wave Hill Quarry at Tarriaro.”

Since 1 July 2021, development applications, construction certificates and planning proposals are among the applications that are now submitted online through the NSW Planning Portal.

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