NSW · North West NSW · Local council, made simple
Narrabri Shire Council
A large rural council in North West NSW anchored by the town of Narrabri — around 12,800 people across Narrabri, Wee Waa, Boggabri and Pilliga, on an economy of dryland and irrigated agriculture (cotton, wheat, cattle) alongside gas and mining industry activity linked to the Narrabri Gas Project. The council runs the local services you use every week — waste, water, roads, parks, development — and sets your rates. Here's the snapshot, then the stuff that affects your week.
Everyday essentials
The things people actually need from the council — fast.
Get to know your council
The basics, in one tap — open any card for key facts and a link to the official source.
This year's rate rise, how it compares across NSW, and why bills differ.
2025–26 rate peg: 4.3%
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
Meets 6 of 9 OLG financial benchmarks (2023–24)
Open →Crime & safetyNarrabri's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.
11 of 12 major offences above the NSW rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsWho represents you — and where to read their official profiles.
Mayor: Darrell Tiemens (Independent)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, and how voting works.
Next election: Sat 9 Sep 2028
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council and report a problem.
Customer service: (02) 6799 6866
Open →Area profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~12,800 (2023–24)
Open →What's happening
3 updatesRecent items from Narrabri Shire Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Policy
$4 million to safeguard Narrabri's water supply
The NSW Government committed $4 million — plus $50,000 in earlier emergency funding — for a portable water-treatment plant to process PFAS-affected bore water, and to investigate new production bores at Salesyard and Logan Lane. PFAS was found in two of Narrabri's three bores in November 2024, and water restrictions began in October 2025.
What this means for you: This is aimed at boosting water supply reliability for the town's roughly 7,000 residents while longer-term bore options are investigated. Narrabri remained on Level 3 water restrictions as of March 2026 — check the council's water restrictions page for the current level and rules.
Source: NSW Government — New funding to safeguard Narrabri water supply
- Policy
Santos signs MOU with council for domestic gas supply
Santos signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Narrabri Shire Council for the potential supply of up to 3.2 PJ of gas per year, for up to 10 years, to businesses in a planned industrial precinct west of Narrabri — subject to pipeline capacity and a final investment decision on the Narrabri Gas Project.
What this means for you: If the project proceeds, this could bring competitively-priced gas to new industrial users near Narrabri. The MOU is non-binding, so supply isn't guaranteed — it depends on Santos' final investment decision and further planning.
Source: Santos — Santos signs MOU with Narrabri Council for domestic gas supply from Narrabri Gas Project
- Election
Ryan Whillas elected councillor via countback
Following the resignation of Cr Joshua Roberts-Garnsey, Ryan Whillas of Wee Waa was declared elected to fill the casual vacancy via a countback of September 2024 election votes, and was sworn in during a September 2025 council meeting.
What this means for you: This fills one of Narrabri's 9 councillor seats for the remainder of the 2024–2028 term. The council's official councillor page has the current full list of who represents you.
Source: Narrabri Shire Council — Ryan Whillas elected as Narrabri Shire's newest councillor
Get the important stuff, automatically
Follow Narrabri Shire Counciland we'll email you when something that affects you comes up — no digging through the council website.
We only use your email to send the updates you ask for, each with a one-click unsubscribe. No spam, no sharing.