Our 2023 Highlights

19 December 2023

Our 2023 Highlights - Post Image

2023 has been a year of progress and prosperity in Warren Shire, with a number of notable achievements. 

There has been significant road rehabilitation, community infrastructure upgrades, tourism advancements and a multitude of cultural, sporting and community events.

Our major achievements have included:  

INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES

  • Completion of the $1.275M state-of-the-art Western Plains Equestrian Arena. The monumental 80m x 42m arena is a much-anticipated development at the Showground/Racecourse Complex and is well-equipped to host a broad range of national, state, regional and local equestrian sporting events.

    Funded by the NSW Government's Regional Sports Infrastructure Fund and Phase 3 of the Australian Government's Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, this new asset will support regional health and social outcomes and provide a significant economic boost for our Shire.

  • G&C Concrete and Brouff Earthmoving worked together to pour an impressive new slab at the Warren Showground/Racecourse for the GBS Falkiner Lounge entrance. This work was funded under various grants including the Murray Darling Basin Economic Development Program Round 3.

  • New pump casings were installed at Oxley Park after being delayed for several years due to COVID-19 and extended periods of flooding. A small window for the removal and replacement of old river pump structures was identified, with Ryan Mason Engineering and B & D Brouff Earthmoving prioritising these works to ensure they could be carried out within the tight timeframe.
     
  • With work commencing on the Warren Shire Library upgrade and landscaping works, library services have been temporarily relocated to the old Tourist Information Office in Burton Street, Warren. The library upgrade works are part of a $315,723 grant received from the State Library of NSW to improve the main library entrance, with a particular emphasis on meeting the needs of people living with disability and people with prams. It is anticipated works will be completed in February 2024.

  • An accessible amenities facility completed at the Warren Pony Club was a welcome upgrade for all Pony Club members and guests. This project was made possible by the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund Program.

  • Construction of new male and female amenities at the Warren Showground/Racecourse have progressed throughout 2023 with the demolition of the old Ladies toilet block and the construction of the new building to house new male and female toilets with showers and two accessible toilet and shower amenities. The new ladies facilities were utilised for the first time at the Twilight Race Meeting in December. This project is anticipated to be complete in early 2024.

  • The much-anticipated Burrima Boardwalk officially opened in October 2023. This accessible asset stretches for 2km at the western edge of the Macquarie Marshes and is set to become a tourism drawcard, attracting people from near and far to experience first-hand around 260 animal species living in the wetland reserve. A special thanks to the Macquarie Wetlands Association and the NSW Government for funding this extraordinary project.

  • A retaining wall was constructed at the Ewenmar Waste Depot as part of a transfer station after the project was substantially delayed due to flooding. Funded by the NSW Government Waste Less, Recycle More, Landfill Consolidation and Environmental Improvements Stream 2 grant, the transfer station will enable better supervision of deliveries and easier segregation of materials.
     
  • A new amenities facility was completed at Monkeygar Creek, Macquarie Marshes, with construction of a bird viewing platform to follow shortly. 
     
  • Upgrade works to the Carter Oval Youth Sports Precinct and Victoria Park Precinct have substantially progressed throughout 2023, with these major projects anticipated for completion in early 2024. 

  • The Ground Water Augmentation Project that commenced in 2020 was finalised in late 2023. The $1,000,000 project was fully funded by the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment as part of the Safe and Secure Water Program. The project included the construction of a trunk water main between the Ellengerah Reservoir and new storage tanks located at Bore Flat and the installation of three cross connections points to allow Bore Water to be supplied into the River Water system in times of drought, thus ensuring a secure water supply for firefighting. The other work undertaken as part of this project was the installation of “Best Practice” Chlorination Systems at both the Bore Flat and Ellengerah bore sites.

  • BRD Design & Construction Pty Ltd began the construction of the New Terminal Building at Warren Airport in October 2023, after being awarded the contract in July 2023. The project is expected to be completed by May 2024. The airport facilities upgrade is part of the Regional NSW Infrastructure Grants Round 2 (RNIG2) Program.

In 2023, Warren Shire Council received:

  • $856,903 from the Stronger Country Communities Fund Round 5 (SCCFR5) for upgrades to amenities, change rooms, kiosk and clubroom facilities at the Warren War Memorial Swimming Pool; and

  • $500,000 under the Female Friendly Sport Facilities Program for new female amenities in the Victoria Park Precinct. This includes two separate changerooms and public access toilets to encourage greater female sporting participation.

These community infrastructure upgrade projects are progressing, with construction scheduled for 2024. 

 

ROAD REHABILITATION

In 2023, Warren Shire completed various road rehabilitation and construction projects to improve road conditions and road safety, following recent flooding events. These included: 

  • $1.7M rehabilitation works on Ellengerah Road, despite sustaining further flood damage during the construction process. 
     
  • $1.67M extension on Old Warren Road, which was also hampered due to wet weather.
  • $800,000 construction on Collie-Trangie Road, after receiving funding under Transport for NSW’s REPAIR Program and Block Grant. The 2km stretch of road was stabilised with an additive to make it stronger and more durable, as well as a rubber bitumen spray seal to seal the pavement.
     
  • Stabilisation and a two-coat bitumen seal helped improve travelling conditions on Marthaguy Road. 

  • Reconstruction of the Dragon Cowal Perforated Causeway on Merrigal Road resulted in improved access and safer travelling conditions, making it resilient against future flood events.

  • $3.4M reconstruction of 6.2 kilometres of Warren Road, including 12 new culverts.

  • Construction of the Old Warren Road and Industrial Access Road intersection to efficiently manage runoff water and alleviate traffic-related concerns. Works included laying pipe culvert, installing kerb and channel, constructing holding pits and road surface improvement. Final construction works will be completed in early 2024.

  • Five Mile Cowal Bridge on the SH11 Oxley Highway Rehabilitation including Shoulder Rehabilitation and Guard Rail Replacement to build resilience and enhance road safety for all users.  

  • Thanks to Batterline Earthmoving, who pushed up and mixed at least 60,000 tonnes of Toucan Pit Gravel to be used in our roadworks for shoulder widening, pavement overlay and pavement rejuvenation. 

  • The Burrima Boardwalk Access Road seal was officially completed to welcome residents and tourists through the gates to the Macquarie Marshes. The 2.6km stretch of road was completed as a private project for and funded by the Macquarie Wetlands Association through the Stronger Country Communities Fund.
     
  • As part of the Stage 2 CBD upgrade, asphalt, pavement works and line-marking including 45-degree angle parking in Dubbo and Stafford Streets gave Warren Town Centre a whole new look.

  • In 2023, Council received $3.9M under the NSW Government's Fixing Local Roads and Fixing Country Roads Programs. Council was granted $2,797,380 for the rehabilitation of segments 4-10 of Nevertire-Bogan Road under the NSW Government's Fixing Local Roads Program and $1,126,800 for the replacement of Newe Park Bridge and Tenandra Bridge, under the NSW Government's Fixing Country Roads Program. Works on these projects will be completed in 2024. 

  • The Annual Reseal Program has been rolled out for major regional roads, including Marthaguy, Warren, Carinda, and Collie-Trangie. This program also covered local roads such as Nevertire-Bogan Road, Cathundral-Bogan Road, Widgeree Road, Bundemar Road, Old Warren Road and Rifle Range Road together with urban roads in Nevertire, Warren, and Collie. Bitumen resealing was also undertaken in the following parks - Oxley, Ebert and Victoria Park, as well as Warren Cemetery.

  • Flood rehabilitation work for AGRN-960 has been finalised on a number of the Shire’s sealed and unsealed roads, including Christie, Yarrandale, Wonbobbie, Merrigal, Pigeonbah, Hatton, Nellievale, Catons, Booka, Buckiinguy, Bullagreen, Cullemburrawang, and Nevertire-Bogan Road. Additionally, major flood rehabilitation work has commenced on Carinda Road, Billybingbone Road and Gibson Way.


ARTS AND CULTURAL ADVANCEMENTS

  • Installation of a trail of cockatoo sculptures along the Matthew Collins Memorial Walk through Oxley Park and Victoria Park, with a number of sports-themed sculptures installed at various locations around Victoria Oval. Funded by the Drought Communities Extension Program and earmarked under the Pathways Structures program, the sculpture series originated as part of Council’s community mental health and wellbeing improvement program. 
     
  • Official opening of the Warren Museum and Art Gallery. Made possible thanks to $3.5M in Australian Government funding, this local asset is a drawcard for locals and tourists to celebrate our region’s rich history and artistic endeavours.
     
  • Paint the Town REaD: Warren Shire Library hosted the first “Paint the Town REaD” early literacy event since 2020 at the Warren Sporting and Cultural Centre on Wednesday 24 May 2023. With a great number of children and community members in attendance, the event featured a highly anticipated performance by children’s musical group, The Beanies.
     
  • Warren won Australia’s most colourful public toilet, when the Continence Foundation of Australia’s annual Great Dunny Hunt revealed Australia’s best public toilets on The National Public Toilet Map and declared the Macquarie Park toilet block in Warren one of the winners!
     
  • The official opening of the CBD and Lions Park amenities and their murals were celebrated in December 2023, with several members of the Warren Public Arts Committee in attendance.

    Both mural collage designs were derived from image submissions from our community and curated by Signarama to create these fantastic Warren Shire and Macquarie River themed collage vinyl wraps. 

  • Mural panels have been delivered and installed for the horse and Campdraft-themed mural for the new Showground/Racecourse joint amenities facility. 

 

COMMUNITY EVENTS AND CELEBRATIONS

  • Thursday 26 January 2023: Australia Day Awards. Warren Shire celebrated the positive impact of several remarkable citizens and businesses, with the presentation of the 2023 Australia Day Awards.

    Warren Shire’s 2023 Citizen of the Year was Dr John Burke. Australia Day Ambassador, The Seekers’ Keith Potger AO, delivered an address around the theme of ‘Reflect. Respect. Celebrate’ and a Citizenship Ceremony was held following to welcome a new Warren Shire citizen, Lennart Veskimagi.  

  • 13 April 2023: Grow Services Day. Held at the Warren Youth Centre and Community Hub, this event showcased 25 stalls on display and featured a variety of helpful resources and support services available for our community, as well as fun and entertainment for people of all ages.

  • 25 April 2023: Warren Shire residents were invited to participate in an ANZAC Day Dawn Service, Wreath Laying and ANZAC Day March. 

  • Saturday 3 June 2023: Warren Show. With amusement rides, showbags, exhibitions, agricultural events and live entertainment, there was fun for the whole family at the 2023 Warren Show. The event also provided an opportunity to come and chat with our Councillors about what's happening in our Shire.
     
  • Saturday 22 July 2023: Marra Field Day. Attracting over 500 people to witness exhibitions from local and interstate sheep studs, enjoy a wide range of local handmade market stalls, compete in the Marra Farmers Challenge and chat to our local Councillors, this year was the biggest and best Marra Field Day event to date.
     
  • Saturday 11 November: Remembrance Day 2023: Warren Shire citizens commemorated Remembrance Day with a service at the Warren Cenotaph.
     
  • Friday 8 December: Warren Street Christmas Party. Thank you to everyone who joined in the fun and festivities at our Warren Street Christmas Party! This year's event was our biggest and best one yet, and it was great to see people of all ages coming together to celebrate the end of another fantastic year. 
     
     

COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND COUNCIL BUSINESS

  • PROTECT, DON’T DISCONNECT: Protecting community health and safety by educating residents about the dangers of water meter disconnection.
     
  • BUZZ OFF CAMPAIGN: With increased cases of Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) detected in Northwest NSW due to increased mosquito activity following the floods, Council reminded residents about how to best protect themselves against mosquitoes. 
     
  • Adoption of the Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan 2023-2025 will help drive tourism and economic outcomes for Warren Shire. 
     
  • Council campaigned strongly for major banks to retain an on-ground banking presence in remote and regional areas. Following an announcement by the National Australia Bank (NAB) that it would be closing its branches in Warren, Gilgandra and Wellington in August 2023, Warren Shire Council will move all banking services to the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA).
     
  • Council staff and contractors, as well as local emergency organisations, attended a Council Safety Training Day for a 'toolbox talk' about workplace safety. The event featured guest speaker, Patrizia Cassaniti, Director and Founder of the Touched by Christopher Foundation, whose son died due to a workplace accident.
     
  • Small business owners and their staff were invited to a free mental health workshop presented by Jacqui Newman, a seasoned HR expert at Pinnacle People Solutions. The workshop was aimed at educating business owners about legislative changes to mental health practices in the workplace. 

  • Expansion of the Economic Development and Visitation Office to include a full time Tourism Information Officer, the arranging of numerous Warren Employer and local businesses roundtable discussion groups throughout the year and the hosting of visits to the Shire by Destination Country and Outback NSW General Manager Lucy White and Regional Development Australia CEO Justine Campbell. 

  • Following adoption of a recommendation from the Plant Committee, Council has entered into an agreement with Neill Earthmoving to enable the Mount Foster Quarry to resume full operations for the first time in 20 years. 

  • Purchase of a new road train primemover, dolly and side-tipper combination at a cost of $624,000 and two new rubber tyred rollers at a cost of over $250,000 each as part of Council’s Plant Replacement Program. 

Back to Media Releases