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Dandaloo St level crossing upgrades in May STORY: PAGE 2 Controversial re-zoning proposal goes to next stage By SHARON BONTHUYS A MAJORITY 5:2 vote at last Wednesday’s Narromine Shire Council meeting has resulted in a controversial proposal to re-zone 100 hectares of land at Narwonah being progressed to the state government for further consideration. Prior to the meeting, which was attended by more than 50 people, four residents of the shire addressed the council in a public forum to express concern at the community not being consulted about the re-zoning proposal which was outlined in a 622-page report and made publicly available on Friday, March 8, ahead of the March 13 meeting. Of the shire’s eight current councillors, five supported the proposal to move to the next stage while two rejected it. One was not present for the vote. As a result of the 5:2 vote, council supported the planning proposal to subdivide RU1 (primary production) land at Narwonah and re-zone part of it to E5 (heavy industrial) and to submit the proposal to the Department of Planning for a Gateway Determination. The vote also supported the council as planning proposal authority being authorised to exercise functions of the local plan-making authority that the council’s General Manager or delegate be nominated to fulfi l the role. Continued page 11
Residents share re-zoning concerns at public forum
Narromine High swim crew do well at regional carnival
STORY: PAGE 10
STORY & PHOTOS: PAGE 12
Seniors celebrate across the shire By SHARON BONTHUYS OLDER residents across the Narromine Shire have participated in local activities held as part of the NSW Seniors Festival, which wraps up this weekend. Considered the largest badged event of its kind in the southern hemisphere, the annual NSW Seniors Festival attracts more than half a million seniors to events and activities across the state, according to the NSW government. This year’s theme has encouraged seniors to “reach beyond.” Locally, a variety of free events have been held in Narromine and Trangie for seniors during the two-week NSW Seniors Festival, which runs from March 11-24.
Seniors’ morning tea, Narromine CELEBRATIONS kicked off in Narromine on March 14 with a morning tea at the Narromine Bowling Club. About 70 seniors attended the event which afforded an opportunity to catch up and enjoy a delicious morning tea while listening to live music and picking up prizes. Narromine Shire mayor,
Narromine’s Senior Citizen of the Year, Norm Lewis, was special guest speaker at the Seniors Festival morning tea on March 14. PHOTO: NARROMINE STAR. Cr Craig Davies, encouraged seniors to put their own spin on this year’s theme and said it was an opportunity for people to test themselves and to volunteer. “Reach beyond, particularly for people of our age, is to push yourself to do those
things that you don’t necessarily think you’re capable of. If you can do that, it will bring you far more fulfi llment in your life,” Cr Davies said. Narromine’s 2024 Senior Citizen of the Year, Norm Lewis, was the special guest speaker at the event.
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Mr Lewis still can’t quite believe he received the award in January, recognising his community service and volunteering, and was even more surprised when asked to speak at last week’s function. Continued page 6