Some residents of Woolbrook will spend Christmas and beyond as part of a new local government area following a boundary change proclamation by NSW Governor Margaret Beazley on November 14.
The process has taken around twelve months to complete, and residents and ratepayers in Woolbrook will now sit within the Walcha Council area rather than the Tamworth Regional Council.
The change was confirmed at the Tamworth Regional Council ordinary meeting on December 9, with councillors noting the proclamation and outlining next steps for the transfer of services and property information
The move has been a long time coming. For many years, Woolbrook ratepayers have pushed for change, arguing that the township is more closely connected to Walcha geographically, making it the more practical centre for residents to access goods and services.
Community feedback was undertaken by both councils, providing an opportunity for the broader community to raise any concerns with the proposal before the changes were made.
Under the transition arrangements, Tamworth Regional Council will work closely with Walcha Council to finalise the transfer of rating records, land information, and associated services to ensure a smooth changeover for affected residents and landholders.
Tamworth Regional Council Mayor Russell Webb said the move responds to long-standing community feedback from Woolbrook residents, many of whom rely on services and amenities in Walcha due to its proximity.
“We want to do what is in the best interests of the Woolbrook community. Residents have been asking for these changes for some years now, and the process is well and truly underway,” Cr Webb said at the time of consultation
The area subject to the council change includes the Rural Fire Service shed, Woolbrook Hall and 19.6 kilometres of mostly unsealed roads that will need to be maintained on an ongoing basis.
Walcha Council mayor Eric Noakes welcomed the proclamation, highlighting the practical benefits of alignment with Walcha’s service area.
“This boundary change reflects the practical realities faced by Woolbrook residents and ensures they receive the services they depend on from the council that is most geographically and logistically aligned with their needs,” Cr Noakes said.
The boundary adjustment will finally see the township – previously split between Tamworth Regional Council and Walcha Council – unified within a single LGA, ending an anomaly that had persisted for many years
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