The NSW Deputy Premier Troy Grant made a quick visit to Narrabri on Friday to assure the community of the state government’s growing focus on the region.
He inspected state government funded projects including plans to upgrade the Narrabri Airport and the new Elizabeth Street bore.
“Narrabri is immensely important, not only has it been a historically important regional community, but its expansion and population growth is very important to the overall state economy,” Minister Grant said.
“I don’t think regional communities like Narrabri have got the deserved recognition for their contribution to the state’s economy up until now.
“This visit is a chance to make sure the investments we’re making are hitting the mark so we can get it right for the long term, we want to get bang for buck, and the money we give out we want to make sure that has long term benefits,” the deputy premier told The Courier.
The $8.7 million Narrabri airport upgrade will be funded through the Resources for Regions program.
Conceptual designs have been drawn up to illustrate the proposed upgrade, which will include runway rehabilitation and extensions to allow larger aircraft to land in Narrabri.
The proposal also includes improvements to taxi lanes, as well as the construction of a new hangar, terminal and fuel facility.
The project budget has not been finalised yet.
The touring party, made up of politicians, departmental representatives, journalists and councillors, also visited the new Elizabeth Street Bore.
The bore was also funded by the Resources to Regions program through an allocation of 12.3 million for the augmentation of Narrabri’s water supply.
Narrabri Shire Council general manager Diane Hood expressed gratitude for the funding, pointing out the importance of meeting new demands as a result of growth in the shire.
“We did get two good buckets of money through the Resources to Regions program and it is really appreciated,” she said.
“We’re kicking ahead with all speed so it’s going to make a huge difference to the town and support the broad diversity of business we’re trying to attract.
“It’s about future proofing to allow growth.”
There are several other major Resources to Regions projects in the planning stages in the Narrabri Shire currently.
They include the timber bridge replacement project, installation of the Baan Baa water supply, expansion of childcare facilities in Narrabri and Boggabri, and the Boggabri sewerage system augmentation.